KARACHI: A huge fire that erupted on Monday in a factory at the Karachi Export Processing Zone (EPZ), near Landhi Industrial Area, destroyed half of the three-storey unit and badly damaged other factories.

The blaze could not be brought under control till late in the night.

However, officials said no loss of life was reported, though a few workers were adversely affected after inhaling smoke.

They added that more than a dozen fire tenders were engaged in extinguishing the blaze, which first erupted in a garment factory and then spread to nearby premises.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaan ul Haseeb Khan told Dawn that the control room received information about the fire at ‘Ammar and Sons’ factory at around 12:53pm.

He said that a large number of workers were present when the fire broke out, but they managed to evacuate the factory safely. However, seven workers, who were trapped inside, were rescued.

“Out of them, three became unconscious after inhaling smoke, but they did not sustain any burn injuries. They were provided with first aid on the spot,” he said.

The spokesperson added that the whole building was engulfed in flames. “Because of prolonged exposure to fire and heat, the factory building was badly damaged, with around 50 per cent of it collapsing. The remaining portion was also damaged,” he said.

He added that the fire spread rapidly and engulfed a nearby factory, Fortune Rags, whose building was also engulfed in flames, causing serious structural damage.

He said 16 fire tenders from Rescue 1122, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s Fire Brigade and the EPZ’s own firefighting unit were engaged in controlling the fire, but the blaze was still raging.

The spokesperson said that the exact cause of the fire would be ascertained after a proper investigation once the blaze had been brought under control. However, all the goods stored in both factories were destroyed, he added.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2026