KARACHI - As many as two people were burnt alive, half dozen were wounded when fire broke out in two separate localities here on Tuesday.
According to the officials of Fire Brigade Department, the incident was reported in the wee hours of Tuesday at Zumrad Colony located in Block 22 of FB Industrial Area.
They said that two fire tenders were initially dispatched and later two more fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
Chief fire-fighter Ehtisham when contacted said Fire Brigade Department was being informed at around 4:30am about the incident.
He said some 100 huts were completely gutted before the arrival of fire tenders while further fire tenders were called for backup which got control over the fire within two hours.
Fire claimed a life of two-year-old Hassan, son of Muhammad Riaz. An elderly man Jumah, 60, sustained injuries. The cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained.
Another incident of fire reported that broke out at Universal Silk Corporation located in sector 12-B of New Karachi Industrial Area. It claimed anther life and injured five others.
The deceased was identified as Muhammad Imran, 22, while the injured persons include Aaqil, Mubeen Ahmad, Khursheed, Rashid, Yaseen and a fire-fighter Zubair Ansari. All victims were the workers of the factory. Chief firefighter Ehtisham said it was a third degree fire that destroyed the whole factory. He said the firefighters faced immense difficulties to extinguish the fire, due to absence of emergency water tank in the area, leaving one person killed and six others injured. Moreover, he said the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained. It was controlled after the hectic efforts of over five hours.
Awareness, training on security urged: A “National Conference on Security” here Tuesday emphasised on creating awareness among people about their security and teach them the use of technical security solutions to improve security systems. Security has always been an issue of concern and in the present security environment it multiplies one’s fear. The sole purpose of spreading awareness about security is to make people realise the worth of their life and surroundings, said the speakers.
The conference was organised by All Pakistan Security Agencies Association (APSAA) at Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), a FPCCI statement said. FPCCI Vice President Shaikh Haroon Rashid said that national as well as personal security has become a top agenda under the changing globalised world today. Talking about the security situation in Karachi, he mentioned that Karachi is the country’s investment and trade gateway and the key player in the economic performance. According to an estimate, a one day strike in Karachi causes a direct trade loss of Rs 3 billion; affecting 2.5 to 3 million daily wage earners.
Other speakers also deliberated on the issues of terrorism and its impacts, general security environment, socio-economic impact of security related issues, dynamics of security in the corporate sector and an urgent need for a more effective approach to security.