The multistory Gul Plaza mall in Karachi was struck by a major fire late Saturday, killing at least three people and injuring about a dozen. Flames spread quickly through storage areas containing imported garments and plastic household goods, and thick black smoke was visible for blocks. Firefighters arrived shortly after 10 p.m.; police will launch an investigation once the blaze is extinguished. Observers warned that inadequate fire-prevention systems in many Karachi buildings often worsen such disasters.
Massive Blaze Devastates Gul Plaza Mall in Karachi; Three Dead, Dozens Injured
People gather as firefighters try to control a massive fire that broke out in a multi-story shopping mall, in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammad Farooq)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Karachi, Pakistan — A large fire ripped through the multistory Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi late Saturday, killing at least three people and injuring roughly a dozen others, police and rescue officials said.
Firefighting Efforts and Scene
Firefighters and rescue teams arrived at the mall shortly after 10 p.m. local time following reports of the blaze. Television footage showed crews in protective gear using ladders, water cannons and hoses as flames poured from windows and balconies. Thick black smoke billowed into the night and was visible from several blocks away, an Associated Press reporter at the scene said.
People gather as firefighters try to control a massive fire that broke out in a multi-story shopping mall, in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammad Farooq)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
How the Fire Spread
Authorities said the fire spread rapidly after igniting in a storage area where shopkeepers kept imported garments, clothing and plastic household items — materials that can fuel fast-moving flames. Local media reported most shopkeepers were closing or had already left when the blaze began, which likely limited casualties but did not prevent the fatal losses.
Investigation and Safety Concerns
The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Police said they would open an investigation once the blaze is extinguished. Safety officials and observers warn that many buildings across Karachi and other parts of Pakistan lack adequate fire-prevention and firefighting systems, a shortcoming that frequently increases damage and casualties in such incidents.
In November 2023, a separate mall fire in Karachi killed 10 people and injured 22, underscoring recurring safety challenges in the city.
Rescue teams continued working at the scene into the night to extinguish remaining hotspots and search for any additional victims. Authorities urged the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to operate unimpeded.
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