Restaurant fire in Karachi’s Do Darya put out: Rescue 1122

Published February 12, 2025
Firefighters attempt to extinguish a fire at a restaurant in Karachi on February 12. — Video screenshot via Rescue 1122
Firefighters attempt to extinguish a fire at a restaurant in Karachi on February 12. — Video screenshot via Rescue 1122

A fire that erupted on Wednesday at a restaurant in Karachi’s Do Darya area, phase 8 of the Defence Housing Authority, has been extinguished, according to a Rescue 1122 official.

The rescue agency said in a statement that the fire was brought under control, adding, “The cooling process is underway.”

Rescue-1122 official Hassaan Khan told Dawn.com that the restaurant was not operational when the fire erupted. He added that initially, two fire tenders were dispatched but “realizing the gravity of the problem, two more fire tenders were called”.

“The wooden structure of the restaurant allowed the fire to spread rapidly and remain persistent,” Khan said. “Four tenders managed to control the fire after hectic efforts, lasting for one and a half hours.

“The structure was completely destroyed. However, the exact cause of the fire could not be ascertained immediately,” he added.

Meanwhile, South Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Syed Asad Raza said that the fire broke out in an abandoned restaurant in Do Darya, adding that police immediately cordoned off the site of the incident.

“The restaurant has been closed for the last four to five years,” he told Dawn.com.

An earlier statement from the rescue agency read, “As soon as the Central Command and Control Rescue 1122 received the information, the fire and rescue team along with ambulance and fire brigade truck reached the spot,” said the statement.

Meanwhile, the Edhi Foundation said in a statement that their ambulances and rescue team were present at the scene.

Last year, a fire broke out at Karachi’s Rimpa Plaza on MA Jinnah Road, with no casualties reported.

In a statement, Rescue 1122 said its fire and rescue team — along with two ambulances, four firetrucks, and a snorkel — reached the site on December 3 as soon as they received an alert about the blaze at Rimpa Plaza.

The fire started from the fourth floor of the 13-story building, the rescue service said, adding that difficulties were being faced to douse the fire “due to improper ventilation” in the building.

After a few hours of effort, the fire was successfully extinguished.

On December 19, 2024, another fire was reported at the same building. The blaze broke out on the roof of the second floor, where disposable goods were being stored, Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaan Khan said.

He noted that gutted material, such as rubber, from the December 3 fire was stored on the second floor, which caught fire again.

Opinion

Editorial

After the review
Updated 16 Mar, 2025

After the review

Should prepare economy for durable growth by attracting foreign private investments to boost productivity and exports.
Embracing crypto
16 Mar, 2025

Embracing crypto

IT seems a little prod was all it took for Pakistan to finally ‘embrace the future’. The Pakistan Crypto Council...
Fault lines
16 Mar, 2025

Fault lines

IT was a distressing spectacle, though a sadly predictable one. As the National Assembly took up for discussion the...
Revised solar policy
Updated 15 Mar, 2025

Revised solar policy

Criticism policy revisions misplaced as these will increase payback periods for consumers with oversized solar systems.
Toxic prejudice
15 Mar, 2025

Toxic prejudice

WITH far-right movements on the march across the world, it is no surprise that anti-Muslim bias is witnessing high...
Children in jails
15 Mar, 2025

Children in jails

PAKISTAN’S children in prison have often been treated like adult criminals. The Sindh government’s programme to...