Drug addicts suspected of igniting fresh fire at Karachi's Gul Plaza while stealing copper

KARACHI: A fresh fire broke out in the basement of Gul Plaza in Karachi, barely two months after a deadly inferno at the same location, with police suspecting that drug addicts sparked the blaze while attempting to steal copper by burning electric wires to extract the metal.

Basement blaze raises fresh concerns

The fire erupted in the basement of Gul Plaza, a building that was already the site of a devastating blaze just two months ago. According to police, the suspected cause of the latest fire was the actions of drug addicts who had entered the building's basement and set fire to electric wires in order to strip them of copper for resale.

The practice of burning insulation off wires to extract copper is common among individuals involved in petty theft of scrap metal, and investigators believe this activity led to the fire spreading in the basement area.

Police investigation points to copper theft

Police officials stated that the suspects had been burning wires inside the basement to extract copper from them when the fire broke out. The blaze prompted an emergency response as firefighting teams rushed to the scene to bring the flames under control.

The latest incident has raised serious concerns about the security of the building, which had already suffered a major fire just two months prior. That earlier inferno had proved deadly, claiming lives and causing widespread destruction at the commercial plaza.

Second fire in two months at same location

The recurrence of fire at Gul Plaza within such a short span has drawn attention to the vulnerability of the building and the apparent ease with which unauthorised individuals were able to access the basement despite the earlier tragedy. The fact that drug addicts were allegedly able to enter the premises and engage in copper theft activities raises questions about the security arrangements at the site.

The previous fire at Gul Plaza had been a major incident that caused significant damage and loss of life. The building, located in Karachi, has now been struck by fire twice in the span of approximately two months, making it a focal point of concern for authorities and the public alike.

Police are investigating the matter further to identify and apprehend the suspects believed to be responsible for starting the latest blaze through their copper theft activities in the basement of the building.