A huge fire erupted in an oil refinery located in Korangi area of Karachi early Saturday.As many as 8 vehicles of fire-brigade taking part in the rescue operation to bring the fire under-control. Fire-brigade personnel declared the blaze “third level” fire.
Police officials said a gas pipeline was damaged during water boring at a private housing society due to which the fire erupted.
Soon after receiving the report of the incident a Sui Southern Gas Pipeline Limited (SSGPL) team reached the site to help in extinguishing the fire
Senior Fire Officer Muhammad Zafar termed the fire “mysterious”, saying that it could not be ascertained yet as to which pipeline had been affected.
The fire is mysterious. We still do not know which pipeline is this,” he said.
Zafar further said that attempts to douse the flames with water were proving ineffective. “We were spraying water on to the flames, but it kept bouncing back,” Zafar explained.
The fire officer further said that to control the conflagration, authorities have called in teams from the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) to the site.
However, the SSGC spokesperson clarified that the company has no installation near the Korangi Crossing. There is no gas pipeline either around the fire site, the spokesperson further noted.
Zafar said “The fire is bursting out from a crater that needs to be sealed with soil.”
Given the scale of the fire, Zafar further recommended, “We may need to use a dumper truck or a helicopter to drop soil over the flames.”
The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) declared an emergency at the Landhi hydrant to ensure an uninterrupted water supply.
“The hydrants in-charge is in constant contact with the fire brigade and rescue teams to maintain the persistent supply of water,” a KWSC spokesperson confirmed.
Governor Tessori has expressed serious concern over the situation, calling for immediate and effective action.
“We must take swift measures to control this fire,” he said in a call to the Chief Fire Officer and engineers present on the site.
To further boost efforts, the governor assured fire officials that he would coordinate with relevant authorities to arrange a helicopter if needed to drop soil over the flames.
Meanwhile, the governor telephoned Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi and directed him to ensure the immediate availability of all necessary firefighting resources, including aerial support.
The Sindh governor also praised firefighters and emergency response teams who continued their efforts despite the intensity of the fire and the challenges in extinguishing it.
“I salute those risking their lives to put out the fire,” Governor Tessori remarked.
With no casualties reported so far, firefighters are trying their best to bring the situation under control and prevent further damage.
