Karachi police on Sunday registered a first information report (FIR) but failed to make any arrests a day after nearly a dozen people were killed in a massive fire at a commercial high-rise building in the city’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area.

At least 11 people died while five others were injured after a blaze erupted inside the R.J. Shopping Mall at 6:20am yesterday because of a suspected short circuit. The fire erupted on the fourth floor before spreading to other parts of the building. According to officials, the deaths occurred beca­use the building had no ventilation.

On Sunday, police registered a case at the Sharea Faisal police station. The case was registered on behalf of the state though Sub-inspector Sadaruddin Mirani but no one was nominated in the FIR.

Instead, the FIR, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, stated that “connivance” of K-Electric (KE) and other institutions — which gave approval for the building’s map — would be probed.

It invoked Sections 322 (manslaughter), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees), 288 (negligent conduct with respect to pulling down or repairing buildings), 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter) and 34 (acts done by several persons In furtherance of common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The FIR said that the fire erupted in the building at around 5am on Saturday, before spreading to the rest of the structure. It said that those present inside the building attempted to save themselves by using the stairs and the elevator but sustained burn injuries. It said some of the injured had died while others were still being treated.

The complaint said that the fire brigade controlled the blaze and, after examining the six-storey building, observed that there were no fire extinguishers or an emergency exit. Therefore, there was a strong suspicion that the fire erupted due to a short circuit, it said.

The FIR further said that during the investigation, officials would probe who approved the building’s map as well as who gave the clearance. “Therefore, the connivance of K-E and other institutions would be probed,” it said.

It added that it appeared as if the building’s construction was approved in violation of the relevant laws and substandard material was used during the construction. The FIR attributed the purported “negligence” of the institutions concerned, which caused the loss of precious lives and injuries to several others.

Sub-inspector Mirani, the complainant, said the FIR was against those who had constructed the building and the institutions which had approved its map and issued a no-objection certificate despite it having substandard construction. He said that his complaint was also against K-E and fire brigade officials who did not “fulfil their responsibilities”.

Separately, Karachi East Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Syed Irfan Bahadur told Dawn.com that police would initiate further legal proceedings after experts determined the exact cause of the fire and other contributory factors.

“So far, it is suspected that a short circuit triggered the fire,” he said, adding that no arrests had been made so far.

Police seek help of NED varsity expert

Separately, a police investigation team led by Karachi East Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Azfar Mahesar visited the building on Sunday. The DIG told the media that the FIR was an initial report and vowed to take the culprits to task after a thorough probe.

“Investigation would be carried out from every possible angle,” said the DIG. He also said that a professor from NED University had been included in the investigation team.

Action would be taken against any institution, which gave approval for the building, he said. The official said that the institutions concerned were supposed to carry out inspections of such buildings.

The DIG also justified lodging the FIR on the state’s behalf. He said that if an outside complainant later pardoned those responsible, the families of the victims would be deprived of justice.

Authorities have sealed the building in order to carry out an investigation. However, shopkeepers have expressed dismay at the move.

They told the media that there were around 700 shops in the building, which employed thousands. They said they were already facing difficulties in running their businesses and a closure would render many jobless.

CM orders safety audit

Earlier, caretaker Sindh Chief Minister retired Justice Maqbool Baqar ordered a safety audit of all commercial buildings, public spots and offices, saying fire eruption incidents were taking place because the inspection system had been abandoned in the city.

The CM directed the Sindh Building Control Authority, Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Civil Defence, and deputy commissioners/assistant commissioners concerned to carry out safety audits of all public and commercial buildings, educational institutions, and government offices and submit their report along with recommendations.

The CM also directed the Karachi commissioner to investigate the R.J. Shopping Mall fire.

Meanwhile, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab said the commercial building where the fire incident took place was located within the jurisdiction of the Cantonment Board.