A massive and devastating blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on Karachi's busy MA Jinnah Road, late on Saturday night, January 17, 2026. The inferno has tragically resulted in at least six fatalities, including a brave firefighter who lost his life during the extensive rescue efforts. The fire, which is suspected to have originated from a short circuit, rapidly intensified and spread throughout the mall, fueled by highly flammable goods such as garments, cosmetics, and plastic items stored within its approximately 1,200 shops. Rescue operations are still actively underway on Sunday, January 18, 2026, with dozens of firefighters battling the intense flames and thick black smoke billowing from the severely damaged building. Authorities have expressed grave concerns that several individuals might still be trapped inside the complex structure, and reports indicate that parts of the building have collapsed during the ongoing efforts to contain the blaze and search for survivors. Around 20 injured people have been successfully pulled out of the mall and transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho confirmed that the fire broke out around 10:45 pm local time, a period when most shopkeepers were either closing their businesses or had already departed for the night. In response to the tragedy, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has promptly ordered a formal inquiry into the incident, tasking Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi to conduct an investigation and submit a comprehensive report. Both Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari have extended their condolences over the tragic loss of lives. This devastating event has once again cast a spotlight on the persistent issue of poor fire safety standards prevalent in Karachi, a city that has unfortunately witnessed several deadly shopping mall fires in recent years, including a previous incident in November 2023 that claimed 10 lives. Firefighting efforts have been significantly hampered by the intricate layout of the mall and the extensive structural damage inflicted by the inferno. As of Sunday morning, only a portion of the fire has been brought under control, with crews continuing their arduous work to fully extinguish it.