A Karachi Landhi factory fire tore through a multi-storey used-clothing unit on Monday, collapsing part of the structure and jumping to a neighbouring building before firefighters could contain it. What began as a routine emergency call turned into an hours-long battle involving over a dozen fire tenders, rescue teams, and Sindh Rangers personnel.
Karachi Landhi Factory Fire: What Happened
The Karachi Landhi factory fire broke out around 12:53 pm at a factory in the Landhi Export Processing Zone (EPZ) that imported and reconditioned used clothing for resale. The building had a ground floor and three upper storeys — all of them engulfed within minutes.
Rescue 1122 said the fire’s intensity caught many workers off guard. Most self-evacuated before crews arrived, but seven remained trapped inside as smoke thickened rapidly through the stairwells and upper floors.
Building Collapse and Firefighting Response
Hours into the operation, the Landhi factory fire caused roughly half the structure to give way. Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaan Ul Haseeb Khan confirmed “continued exposure to the fire and heat caused extensive damage to the structure.”
- 16 fire tenders deployed
- Two snorkel units used for aerial access
- Water bowsers activated at Landhi and Sherpao hydrants
- Blaze classified as a “third-degree fire” by officials
Firefighting stretched past nightfall, with crews still working to fully extinguish the flames more than eight hours after ignition.
Rescue 1122 Operation and Worker Safety
Officials say the Karachi Landhi factory fire could have been far deadlier without swift evacuation. Three workers suffered smoke inhalation and briefly lost consciousness but sustained no burns; all received first aid on-site.
READ MORE: Ishaq Dar, Hakan Fidan discuss Makkah Defence Alliance Cooperation
Khan noted that timely evacuation prevented casualties despite the scale of destruction. Goods stored inside both affected factories, however, were completely destroyed by the fire, representing a significant financial loss for the businesses involved.
A Pattern of Landhi Factory Fires
This is not an isolated event. The Karachi Landhi factory fire fits a troubling sequence of blazes hitting the same industrial zone within roughly a year, raising hard questions about prevention.
| Date | Facility Type | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| June 2025 | Factory (EPZ) | 5 injured, fire burned 24+ hours |
| February 2026 | Plastic factory | 2 units engulfed, no casualties |
| September 2026 | Used-clothing factory | Partial collapse, 3 smoke-inhalation cases |
The recurrence suggests structural and material risk factors specific to Landhi EPZ, not a one-off accident.
Industrial Fire Safety Concerns in Karachi
Fire officials pointed to a familiar culprit behind the Karachi Landhi factory fire: densely packed combustible stock. Large quantities of used fabric inside the building made suppression extremely difficult once flames took hold.
This mirrors findings from the Gul Plaza commission earlier this year, which found fire-safety equipment absent and exit routes deficient in inspected buildings — despite prior warnings. Landhi’s factories, often storing flammable raw material in close quarters, face similar structural vulnerabilities.
Government and Agency Response
Multiple state bodies mobilised quickly once the Karachi Landhi factory fire was reported. The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation activated emergency hydrant measures on directives from CEO Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, keeping water tankers flowing to the site throughout the operation.
- KMC Fire Brigade and Rescue 1122 ran a joint operation
- Sindh Rangers cordoned off the area and managed crowd control
- Malir police confirmed all workers were evacuated before major spread
- Edhi Foundation ambulances and volunteers assisted on standby
Sindh’s chief minister reportedly sought details on the damage extent, though a formal probe has yet to be announced.
What Comes Next: Investigation and Accountability
Rescue officials say the exact trigger behind the Karachi Landhi factory fire will only be confirmed once a full investigation begins — something that typically follows once the blaze is fully doused and the site cools.
Given the zone’s repeat-fire history, pressure is likely to build for a broader safety audit of EPZ factories, similar to the judicial scrutiny that followed January’s Gul Plaza tragedy.That translates into enforced change remains an open question.
