Officials confirmed on Monday that a massive blaze which ignited at a factory in the Landhi Export Processing Zone early Sunday morning remained unfully extinguished even after more than 35 hours.
According to the Fire Brigade, the fire rapidly escalated due to the presence of chemicals within the factory and strong winds, subsequently engulfing an adjacent clothing warehouse and a plastic manufacturing unit.
Fire brigade officials reported that 70% of the fire was under control and expressed confidence in achieving complete extinguishment soon.
Fire Officer Arif Mansoori stated that twelve fire brigade vehicles were actively involved in the firefighting operation. He reported that flames were still visible in various sections across all three affected factories, with fire personnel continuously working to douse the blaze.
Mansoori added that while the spread of the fire had been contained, eliminating the risk of it extending to nearby areas, the cooling process was anticipated to take several additional hours. He also noted that goods of significant value had been destroyed in the incident.
One factory has been completely ruined, while another has been deemed structurally unsafe. The exact cause of the fire is still unknown.
At least five firefighters sustained injuries while attempting to bring the intense fire under control.
More than 20 fire tenders are currently on the scene, participating in the firefighting efforts.
A fire breaks out at a factory in Landhi export processing zone, Karachi, on June 8, 2025. — Screengrab via Geo News
According to Rescue 1122 officials, the fire originated in the factory located in the Landhi Export Processing Zone in the early hours of the day. Its rapid spread was attributed to the presence of combustible materials, leading to the engulfment of three other nearby factories.
Officials confirmed that at least five Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) firemen sustained injuries after a section of the affected building collapsed, adding that the incident had been designated a “third-degree” fire.
Rescue officials stated that the injured firemen were immediately transported to the hospital, with one of the injured reported to be in critical condition.
They also mentioned that the factory contained a stock of clothes, chemicals, and other items, reiterating that the cause of the blaze had not yet been determined.
The emergency service department indicated that it received notification of the blaze at 4:50 AM.
The buildings damaged by the fire were declared unsafe for occupancy.
The service’s chief operating officer informed the media that rescue operations were facing challenges due to dense smoke and a shortage of water.
Last month, a garments factory near Murtaza Chowrangi in Landhi also caught fire, resulting in the destruction of inventory worth millions of rupees.
That blaze erupted suddenly in a multi-storey factory, with flames rapidly intensifying, prompting an immediate response from police and rescue teams.
Firefighters utilized smoke injectors to ventilate the building and clear toxic fumes. After nearly three hours of continuous efforts, that fire was successfully brought under control.
