Video: Karachi's Arshi shopping mall engulfed by massive fire, three dead

A massive fire on Wednesday (Dec 6) engulfed a six-storey commercial-cum-residential building in Karachi, Pakistan, killing at least three people.Local reports mentioned that at least one person was critically injured, and rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Hundreds were trapped inside, but they were rescued.

The incident occurred in the city's FB Area near Ayesha Manzil, which remains a busy region the entire day.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who was present at the site, said in a post on X that a "third dead body" had been found. Earlier, he had informed about "two casualties".

The fire was declared 'third degree' and erupted around 5:47 pm (local time).

Local reports mentioned that a shop caught fire as a result of a short circuit initially.

However, the flames later spread to other shops that were part of the furniture market situated under the building. Soon, the entire building was engulfed in fire putting 250 shops and 450 apartments at risk.

Some reports have also noted that the fire spread to other adjacent structures, including a gas station, where a related explosion reportedly occurred.

Reports said that authorities were responding to the fire incident and firefighters were trying to douse the flames.

While speaking to Geo News, Director Rescue 1122 Sindh Abid Shaikh, said: "Maximum people have been evacuated. The fire extinguishing operation is still underway. The fire is of the third category, which has engulfed the entire building."

The fire incident in Karachi mall comes just days after 11 people were killed when a huge fire ripped through a six-storey commercial building in the Gulistan-i-Jauhar area of the port city.

(With inputs from agencies)