KARACHI: A huge fire broke out near the furniture market in Liaquatabad, which destroyed over 40 shops and warehouses, officials said on Saturday.

No one was hurt in the incident.

A fire official said that the blaze erupted in the market of Gharibabad at around 1.25am on Saturday. Fire engines from eight stations put out the fire by 7.15am, he added.

The fireman said that around 40-50 shops and warehouses were located in the market, which were destroyed.

Thick smoke emanating from the market had engulfed the residential area causing breathing problems for residents who left their houses.

Speaking to journalists, shopkeepers complained about ‘slow’ response from the fire engines and lack of water.

They claimed that first fire engine arrived without water in it because of which the fire rapidly spread.

They said that there were 70 shops in the market, out of which, 45 had been destroyed.

Liaquatabad SHO Liaquat Hayat Mehsud said that the fire had erupted in small cabins where old pigeon cages were kept.

He clarified that the blaze did not take place in the main furniture market of Gharibabad, which was located in the ‘Karachi Complex’ at a short distance from the incident.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2023