KARACHI: A huge fire that broke out in a factory in F.B. Industrial Area early on Friday morning destroyed the three-storey building completely without causing any loss to life, fire brigade and Gabol Town police officials said.

The blaze erupted in the plastic manufacturing unit located in Block 16.

A fire official told Dawn that they had received the information about the incident at around 4.56am.

Initially a few fire engines were sent to control the blaze. However, later on realising the gravity of the situation more fire engines were sent to control the situation.

Several labourers were rescued during the rescue work.

The fire also spread to two nearby factories, but the firefighters managed to prevent it from spreading further.

As many as nine fire engines and two water bowsers took part in the efforts. The blaze was controlled at around noon, but cooling process continued till evening, said the North Karachi fire station officer.

The officer added that the cause of the fire and estimate of losses could not be ascertained yet.

The factory building collapsed due to impact of the fire. The building was in a dilapidated condition and its construction also seemed faulty, the fireman said.

Gabol Town SHO Irfan Asif ruled out the possibility of any sabotage behind the incident.

Quoting an initial report of the fire brigade, the SHO said the fire was caused by a short circuit.

He said no one was hurt in the incident, but the three-storey building was destroyed, causing huge financial loss to the owners.

SBCA report on factory fire

The plastic factory was set up in a ground-plus-two-storey building constructed on three plots — Nos. C 86, 87 and 88 — in Block 16 of the F.B. Industrial Area.

Initial report prepared by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) officials states that the gutted factory has been completely destroyed and the blaze has also affected nearby factories owing to which 12 industrial units have been sealed.

The report says that after cooling down of the gutted premises, the SBCA team will once again carry out a survey and a final report will be prepared regarding the condition of the affected buildings, says a statement.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2017