Fire Erupts at Major Shopping Mall in Karachi

A massive fire broke out early Saturday morning at the multi‑storey RJ Shopping Mall on Rashid Minhas Road, Karachi, claiming 11 lives and injuring dozens. The tragedy has spotlighted widespread fire safety violations in commercial buildings across Pakistan’s largest city. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what happened, why it matters, and what comes next.

• Where & when: RJ Shopping Mall, Rashid Minhas Road, Karachi. 

• Casualties: Eleven people dead, over 35 injured; six critically injured.

• Extent of fire: Flames engulfed the 4th, 5th, and 6th floors of the building.

• Safety failures: No fire extinguishing systems or emergency exits; the building issued no proper NOCs.

• Cause: Believed to be a short circuit, possibly originating in the rooftop generator.

The inferno ignited early Saturday, quickly spreading to upper floors and trapping office workers in call centres and software houses. 

Firefighters responded with eight tenders, snorkels, and bowser units but faced fierce smoke and crowding. 

Nearly 50 people were rescued after smashing doors; several died inside due to smoke inhalation and suffocation.

• Among the deceased was Shahzeb, a software engineer who was to be married next month, according to family witnesses. 

• Relatives shared stories of frantic escape attempts as smoke overwhelmed stairwells—a dire consequence of absent safety infrastructure.

• Six individuals remain in critical condition, undergoing treatment at JPMC, Civil Hospital, and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

• No fire extinguishers and no emergency staircases or exits, confirmed by Fire Rescue Commander. 

• The building lacked fire alarm systems, and central air conditioning worsened smoke spread.

• NOC was issued despite the structural use of substandard materials—no approval from the Sindh Building Control Authority. 

• Initial police investigations include culpable homicide and negligence charges under PC 322 and 436.

FIR registered against K-Electric, fire department officials, and mall management for criminal negligence. 

Caretaker CM Maqbool Baqar ordered province-wide audits of commercial and public buildings. 

A three-member committee has been formed to investigate the cause, safety lapses, and responsible entities.

The Deputy Commissioner has ordered the sealing of unsafe buildings across Karachi.

• Sindh authorities are conducting audits of malls, offices, educational institutions, and other large establishments.

• Leadership is aiming to revise building codes, mandate fire exits, alarms, sprinklers, and enforce regular drills.

• K-Electric and the fire department face court scrutiny—accused of issuing NOCs without proper inspection.

• Confirm approved NOCs and ask for fire safety certificates before entering commercial buildings.

• Check for functional extinguishers, exit signs, and emergency lighting.

• Stay alert to unfamiliar smells, smoke, or sounds of electrical faults.

• Learn evacuation routes and attend fire drills at workplaces.

• Report unsafe buildings to local authorities or Sindh Building Control.

The RJ Mall fire is a tragic reminder of systemic failures in Karachi’s fire safety infrastructure. With 11 lives lost and countless others endangered, city leaders face mounting pressure to overhaul building regulations and protect the public. As investigations unfold and reforms are enforced, Karachi stands at a crossroads—where effective governance and civic vigilance must join forces to prevent such preventable tragedies.