Massive fire plays havoc at Karachi export zone

A massive fire erupted in a chemical factory on Sunday morning and was brought under control after 29 hours of hectic efforts on Monday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The factory was located in Landhi Export Processing Zone (LEPZ) in Karachi.

According to the Fire Brigade, the fire rapidly spread due to the presence of chemicals in the factory and strong winds, engulfing an adjacent clothing warehouse and a plastic manufacturing unit. 

Three factories were damaged due to heavy fire. The cooling process was under way from both sides of the factory.

At least five fire-fighters sustained injuries after a portion of the affected building collapsed, the officials said, adding that it had been declared a "third degree" fire.

لانڈھی کے علاقے میں آتشزدگی،تین فیکٹریوں کو اپنی لپیٹ میں لے لیا، پانی کی قلت کے باعث آگ پر قابو پانے میں مشکلات کا سامنا pic.twitter.com/040400lf1e

— Shahid Hussain (@ShahidHussainJM) June 8, 2025

The rescue officials said that the injured Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) firemen were immediately shifted to the hospital. One of the injured was in critical condition, the officials added.

They added that there was a stock of clothes, chemicals and other items in the factory, adding that the cause of the blaze was not yet determined.

The emergency service department said that it received information of the blaze at 4:50am.

The affected buildings from the blaze were declared unsafe.

Last month, a garments factory near Murtaza Chowrangi in Landhi caught fire which destroyed inventory worth millions of rupees.

The blaze erupted suddenly in a multi-storey factory, and the flames quickly intensified, prompting an immediate response from the police and rescue teams.

Firefighters used smoke injectors to ventilate the building and remove toxic fumes. After nearly three hours of continuous efforts, the fire was brought under control.

Reporter: Hyder Khanzada