KARACHI: A huge fire destroyed six warehouses in Shershah on Saturday, said officials.

The blaze which erupted in morning could not be controlled till evening.

According to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation fire brigade officials, they received information at around 9.42am about the fire in six warehouses in Shershah, where mostly old clothes were kept.

Initially, a few fire engines were sent, but after realising the gravity of the situation, more fire engines were called from other areas while Pakistan Navy fire engines also joined the KMC in firefighting efforts.

The officials said nine engines of the KMC and 10 water bowsers belonging to the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board were busy in controlling the fire.

Shershah SHO Inam Hasan Junejo said that four warehouses were completely destroyed in the fire.

However, efforts were under way to save the two remaining warehouses from complete destruction.

The area SHO believed that short circuit might have set off the fire.

The exact estimation of loss could not be made immediately.

Chief Minister of Sindh Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and directed the commissioner of Karachi to exercise all resources for extinguishing the fire to prevent any major damage.

Mr Shah also asked the commissioner to seek help from other institutions if needed.

Separately, Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani also took notice of the incident and directed the managing director of the KWSB to provide uninterrupted water supply immediately.

Mr Ghani said that at least nine fire engines were busy in controlling the fire while 10 water bowsers of the KWSB were providing water.

He said more water tankers were being sent.

“Since fire has erupted in six warehouses dealing with old clothes, the firemen are facing difficulties, but despite this, the fire brigade staff is taking all possible efforts to extinguish the fire,” observed the minister.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2019