MicroPakistan

Most of you would already be aware of this incident. However, I would like to bring your attention to my post on when fire broke out in PNSC building the last time.

Ironically, the KPT has approval to build the Rs. 20 billion KPT Tower Complex, which will be 1,947 ft. high (a patriotic gesture). If it was completed today it would be the tallest building in the world. However, on the other hand, neither KPT nor anyone else has the ability to fight an eleven storey fire. One would hope they use fire-resistant materials in the building and have proper fire-safety procedures in place, but even then the city would need better fire-fighting facilities for the future. The KPT (which generously spends on fountains and underpasses) should consider spending some of that money on fire-fighting facilities. These tall buildings could become very dangerous otherwise.

Luckily, this time around as well the incident took place on a Sunday (conspiracy theorists are already citing this as more than a mere coincidence) which is why not many people were inside the building at the time. However, these tall buildings without safety procedures and equipment are already very dangerous. I hope the relevant authorities stop pointing fingers at each other and do something about it before something terrible happens.

One killed, four injured in PNSC building fire (Daily Times)

By Faraz Khan

KARACHI: A Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) employee died and three firefighters were injured in a fire that broke out in the company’s 17-floor building on Sunday afternoon, the second in six months.

PNSC Administrative Manager Vijay Kumar, 45, was reportedly standing by the building when the fire broke out. He apparently died of a heart attack that he suffered on the scene, but an autopsy is due to confirm the cause of death. He was taken to Civil Hospital, and to a private hospital later.

The building was gutted in the massive blaze that started at 2.15pm on the fourth floor. More than 18 fire trucks from the fire brigade and Karachi Port Trust were immediately called to the scene, and Federal Shipping Minister Babar Khan Ghouri, Nazim Mustafa Kamal, Pakistan Navy Commander Salman Ali and other officials also reached the scene immediately.

A navy helicopter rescued Ansari, an engineer with Warid Telecom, who had been repairing a communication tower on the roof. Ghouri told reporters that the fire could have been arson by “terrorists”, and it needed to be investigated. Police Chief Azhar Ali Farooqui said that the police would register a first information report (FIR) if someone complained, otherwise the incident would not be investigated.

The police arrived on the scene only because the firefighters needed help controlling the crowd. Rangers, already posted on the scene for security, helped provide backup.

The first fire broke out on February 18 in the 11th to 16th floors. The multinational companies moved away and the floors had since been empty. In the first blaze, which lasted 19 hours, six people were pulled out alive.

The injured firefighters were rushed to Civil Hospital while others were struggling to extinguish the blaze until 8pm.

Agencies add: Karachi district government Deputy Chief Fire Officer Naeem Yousuf said that strong winds had made the fire harder to control.

Babar Ghouri said that the damage was so bad that the building might have to be demolished. “We are trying our utmost to ensure that the damage should not intensify,” he added.

Volunteers saved some of the records of the Muslim Commercial Bank (MCB) at the ground and first floor. Two blasts caused by gas cylinders exploding created panic, witnesses said.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) expressed concern over the fire and demanded an investigation into the incident.

In a press statement, PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar said that it was “noteworthy” that the building belonged to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)-run Ministry of Shipping and Ports.

The second fire raised questions whether it was arson aimed at destroying official records that might have contained evidence of wrongdoing, he said.

He also called for the public release of the investigations in the last fire and the steps taken to prevent recurrence.