A massive fire broke out at a factory in Karachi’s Landhi Export Processing Zone on Friday evening, quickly spreading to two industrial units and forcing authorities to declare a third-degree fire emergency. Rescue officials said the blaze erupted around 8pm inside a plastic manufacturing factory, while Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan confirmed that firefighters were battling flames that had surrounded the building from three sides.
Blaze spreads fast
The fire intensified within minutes, sending thick smoke into the air and triggering panic in the surrounding industrial area. Witnesses said the flames expanded rapidly across the building and were visible from a considerable distance, prompting emergency protocols across the city and the dispatch of additional firefighting resources to stop the fire from spreading further.
Firefighting response intensifies
Fire brigade vehicles from multiple stations across Karachi, along with rescue workers and water tankers, rushed to the site. Authorities also imposed an emergency at local hydrants to maintain an uninterrupted water supply for operations. More than 10 fire tenders and snorkel trucks were deployed, with firefighters using a snorkel platform to attack the blaze from height while ground teams worked from multiple sides.
Industrial materials worsen the risk
Officials said the presence of plastic and other combustible materials inside the factory helped accelerate the fire’s spread and increase its intensity. Rescue authorities confirmed that at least two factories have been affected so far, and fire officials said the focus remained on containment, cooling nearby structures and creating fire breaks to prevent the flames from reaching additional industrial units.
Emergency zone sealed off
The incident was officially categorised as a third-degree fire, one of the highest emergency levels used by the fire department, due to its scale, heat and spread pattern. No immediate report of casualties was issued at the time of the response. Authorities cordoned off the affected section of the export processing zone to keep the area clear for emergency teams, while investigators are expected to determine the cause once the fire is fully brought under control.
