Karachi Mall Blaze: At Least Six Dead, 22 Injured After Short-Circuit Fire Rips Through Gul Plaza

At least six people have died and 22 others were injured after a large fire tore through the Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi late on Saturday, Jan. 17. Authorities say the blaze began on the ground floor and spread rapidly through multiple levels of the building, damaging more than 1,200 shops.

Officials received the first emergency call at about 10:30 p.m. local time. Pakistan Emergency Services Department spokesperson Hassanul Haseeb told Reuters that when crews arrived "the fire from the ground floor had spread to the upper floors, and almost the entire building was already engulfed in flames." Identities of the deceased have not yet been released.

Rizwan TABASSUM / AFP via GettyA fire broke out at a shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, on Jan. 17

Cause, Damage and Response

Sindh Inspector General Javed Alam Odho said investigators believe the fire began with a "short circuit" in one of the mall's shops. He noted the market's layout and the types of goods sold—such as carpets, blankets and other resin-containing items—helped the fire to smolder and persist even after the main flames were reduced.

Local reports say 16 people remain missing, including six members of the same family and a 14-year-old girl. Twenty-two injured people, including firefighters, were taken to Civil Hospital Karachi, according to Dawn, citing South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso.

Rizwan TABASSUM / AFP via GettyFirefighters extinguish a fire at a shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, on Jan. 17

Rescue teams mounted a large operation: sources reported that Rescue 122 (also cited as Rescue 1222 in some local coverage) deployed multiple fire brigades and ambulances to the scene. Government officials said the fire was about 70% contained by the following morning. Haseeb warned the building appears very old and could collapse because of fire damage, so rescue efforts are being conducted with extreme caution.

Investigation and Relief

Chief Minister of Sindh Murad Ali Shah has ordered a formal investigation into the incident. The Sindh Government has shared online resources to assist those affected. Local authorities and emergency services continue search-and-rescue operations and are assessing structural damage and the full human toll.

Note: Reporting draws on statements from local authorities and coverage by Reuters and Dawn; details remain subject to official updates as search and investigation continue.