Around 500 shops doused in Karachi’s Millennium Mall fire

KARACHI: A massive fire engulfed Millennium Mall on Rashid Minhas Road, blazing over 500 shops and causing millions of rupees in financial losses, a rescue official said.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaan told media the rescue team arrived at the mall within 15 minutes of receiving information of the fire at 4:06 am.

“A security guard informed us that a short circuit in the ‘Control and Surveillance Room’ on the third floor triggered a minor explosion, which caused the fire,” he said.

Around 12 fire tenders, with the help of two snorkels, managed to control the fire after hectic efforts lasting for several hours.

The rescue official further revealed that the Millennium Mall’s firefighting system was inactive, and there was no proper fire exit. The building had only one entry and exit route, which hampered firefighting efforts.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson said that the third floor of the three-storey building was completely destroyed, while the first and second floors were partially damaged. There were more than 150 shops on each floor.