Pakistan: fire in Karachi shopping centre leaves six dead

Karachi (Pakistan), 18 January (LaPresse/AP) – Firefighters in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi battled a blaze that broke out overnight in a multi-storey shopping centre known as Gul Plaza. Six people died in the blaze, including a firefighter. The fire broke out yesterday evening at Gul Plaza, spreading rapidly through shops selling cosmetics, clothing and plastic goods. About 75% of the fire was extinguished, but firefighters needed another four to six hours to bring it completely under control. Five bodies were recovered from the four-storey building and basement, which housed around 1,200 shops. Rescuers said a firefighter died while trying to extinguish the flames on the upper floors. Some people may still be trapped inside and families continue to search for their missing loved ones.