Gul Plaza Fire Renews Safety Concerns
KARACHI: The recent fire at Gul Plaza has once again highlighted serious gaps in fire safety practices across Karachi’s commercial buildings, prompting renewed calls for stronger safety systems and awareness. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah, Director of the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi, stressed the urgent need to build a practical safety culture in both institutions and public spaces.
He shared these views while addressing foreign students during a lecture at the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry on Monday. Dr. Shah, author of the internationally published book Safety in the Chemical Laboratory and Industry: A Practical Guide (Elsevier), said that fire risk increases significantly in large commercial plazas due to the presence of diverse and hazardous materials.
Referring to the Gul Plaza incident, he explained that many shops store chemicals, polymers, dyes, and other flammable products that can produce extreme heat and toxic gases when ignited. Such fires cannot always be controlled with water alone and may require specialized fire-extinguishing powders and equipment. Using the wrong method, he warned, can worsen the blaze.
Dr. Shah urged government authorities and building managements to enforce strict safety protocols to protect visitors and workers. He described large shopping plazas as high-risk environments where traders often handle irritant, flammable, or explosive materials without adequate training or protective equipment.
He noted that globally, major mall fires often result from faulty electrical work, mishandling of materials, lack of technical expertise, and poor emergency preparedness. Building design also plays a critical role, he added, emphasizing the need for proper electrical systems, ventilation, humidity control, and regular expert inspections.
According to Dr. Shah, safety depends not only on regulations but also on individual behavior. “Laws and protocols are necessary, but their success depends on whether people follow them,” he said, adding that workers and management must actively support safety measures.
He said his book outlines essential safety protocols for laboratories, industries, and large buildings, including malls, and serves as a guide for emergency responders and regulators. It focuses on prevention, safe handling and disposal of materials, and emergency response planning.
Dr. Shah concluded that most fire-related injuries and losses can be reduced through proper systems, training, and safety-minded attitudes, stressing that safety must become a daily habit, not just a written rule.
