HYDERABAD: A massive fire erupted in Liaquat Colony on Tuesday, engulfing a junkyard, parking area, cottage industry, and cattle pen, with a series of LPG cylinder explosions causing further damage to rickshaws and pushcarts.
According to Mayor Kashif Ali Shoro and Deputy Commissioner Zaindul Abedin Memon, no casualties were reported. The fire originated from a junkyard filled with plastic and metal waste, burning at least 15 rickshaws, three cars, loader vehicles, a four-seater rickshaw, and over six pushcarts, causing losses worth millions.
Firefighting teams from Rescue 1122, HMC, and CBH reached the site within 10 minutes of the alert and battled the flames for four hours. Crowds hampered rescue efforts until authorities cleared the roads.
MQM-P MPA Rashid Khan alleged arson due to a land dispute and demanded a proper investigation and FIR. He also pointed to the continued illegal use and sale of substandard LPG cylinders near the site, recalling last year’s deadly Paretabad blast.
The DC confirmed relocating cylinders from nearby LPG shops and said the cause of the fire would be identified after cooling operations. He blamed Civil Defence for failing to crack down on illegal LPG traders and cited an absent official, Mehrab Khaskheli, as a major hurdle to enforcement despite OGRA’s delegation of powers to local administrations.
