KARACHI: Investigative authorities have completed the preliminary report into the tragic Gul Plaza fire, concluding that the blaze was not caused by an electrical short circuit but was most likely ignited by a matchstick or lighter. The initial findings, compiled with the help of eyewitness accounts and statements from affected individuals, shed new light on how the deadly incident may have unfolded and raise serious concerns about safety lapses inside the building.

According to investigative sources, the fire broke out at a shop selling artificial flowers located inside Gul Plaza. The report suggests that children present in the shop were playing at the time the fire started. During their play, the children may have accidentally ignited flammable material using a matchstick or a lighter. Investigators believe that the fire first caught the shop’s highly combustible merchandise before rapidly spreading to nearby electrical wiring, accelerating the blaze throughout the building.

Sources emphasized that, contrary to earlier assumptions, there is no evidence so far to support the claim that the fire was caused by a short circuit. Instead, the pattern of damage, witness testimonies, and the point of origin all indicate that the fire began due to an open flame. Once the fire started, it spread quickly because of the nature of the materials stored inside the shop and the lack of adequate fire prevention measures within the building.

The preliminary report notes that artificial flowers and related decorative items are typically made of plastic and synthetic materials, which are highly flammable and produce dense smoke when burned. This significantly worsened the situation inside Gul Plaza, filling corridors and staircases with thick smoke within minutes and leaving occupants with little time to react.

As soon as the fire erupted, people inside the building attempted to flee toward the exits. However, the report states that chaos ensued when occupants discovered that several exits were blocked or locked. The closure of building doors reportedly led to panic and a deadly stampede, as people struggled to escape the rapidly spreading fire and suffocating smoke.

Investigative sources revealed that most of the shops inside Gul Plaza were open at the time of the incident, which meant a large number of people were present in the building. This increased the scale of the tragedy, as workers, shopkeepers, and customers were all caught inside when the fire broke out. The report also highlights that the route leading to the building’s rooftop was secured with an iron grill, effectively cutting off another potential escape path for those trapped inside.

Another major finding of the preliminary investigation is the failure of surveillance and monitoring systems during the incident. Sources confirmed that the building’s CCTV system was completely damaged due to the fire. As a result, investigators have been unable to retrieve video footage that could have provided a clearer timeline of events, including the exact moment the fire started and how it spread through different parts of the plaza.

The destruction of the CCTV system has complicated the investigation, forcing authorities to rely heavily on eyewitness testimonies and physical evidence gathered from the site. Investigators are continuing to collect statements from shop owners, workers, survivors, and families of the victims to build a more comprehensive understanding of the events that led to the disaster.

Meanwhile, rescue operations at Gul Plaza are still ongoing. Authorities are continuing efforts to recover possible bodies trapped beneath the debris, as parts of the building collapsed due to structural weakening caused by the intense fire. Rescue teams are proceeding with extreme caution, as the building has already been declared structurally unsafe, and there is a constant risk of further collapse.

Officials have stated that heavy machinery is being used sparingly, and in some areas, manual search operations are being carried out to avoid disturbing unstable sections of the structure. The operation is expected to continue until all accessible areas have been thoroughly searched and cleared.

The preliminary report has once again highlighted severe shortcomings in fire safety arrangements at Gul Plaza. Sources pointed out that the building lacked proper fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and clearly marked emergency exits. The absence of these basic safety measures significantly reduced the chances of a safe evacuation and contributed to the high number of casualties.

Urban safety experts argue that the findings of the initial investigation underscore the urgent need for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations in commercial buildings across Karachi. They warn that many plazas and markets in the city continue to operate without compliance with approved safety standards, creating conditions for similar tragedies to occur.

Authorities have assured that the investigation will continue and that the final report will determine responsibility for the incident. The probe is expected to examine whether the building management, shop owners, or regulatory bodies failed in their duties, and whether negligence played a role in the loss of life.

Families of the victims are demanding accountability and justice, insisting that those responsible for safety lapses be held answerable. Many have questioned how a building with such inadequate safety measures was allowed to operate despite repeated warnings about fire hazards in commercial centers.

As Karachi mourns the victims of the Gul Plaza tragedy, the preliminary findings have intensified public debate over building safety, regulatory enforcement, and emergency preparedness. The incident has become a stark reminder of how a small spark—possibly from a matchstick or lighter—can turn into a catastrophic disaster when safety systems are absent or ignored.