Heavy blaze engulfs warehouses at New Sabzi Mandi
07 March, 2013
KARACHI: Over 450 shops and pushcarts were gutted in a mysterious fire, which erupted at a warehouse in new Sabzi Mandi located along Super Highway on Wednesday.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire erupted in a garbage pile, which later spread to a crate warehouse. Shortly after, the fire engulfed several shops and stalls in the market. Traders acting promptly on self-help basis, began a rescue operation to extinguish the fire.
The fire, however, gradually spread in the whole market and engulfed huge stock of onion, wood and other stored items.
It took over an hour for fire extinguishers to reach the site. Later on, other fire tenders were also called after assessing the intensity of the blaze.
The city's fire chief said this was a third degree fire and 20 fire engines were dispatched to extinguish it, which was finally brought under control after several hours' of hectic work.
The fire chief added that the fire engines had to repeatedly rush to the Sohrab Goth station for the supply of water, which caused the delay in extinguishing the fire.
According to Sabzi Mandi sources, fruit and vegetable traders had suffered a colossal financial loss of Rs 200 million in the wake of widespread fire, adding that some eight sheds out of total 11 had completely gutted. While, a large number of adjacent offices, business records and parked vehicles in the shades, including wooden trolleys and cycles rickshaws, were also burnt.
They also said that it was difficult for traders to ensure immediate alternate arrangements for storage of fruits and vegetables. Businessmen of the market also visited the spot.
It is pertinent to mention here that this Sabzi Mandi has been the hub of business of fruit, vegetables and other household items and the whole city is supplied vegetables and fruits from the market.
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