A fire broke out at Karachi’s New Sabzi Mandi (vegetable wholesale market) on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, engulfing several shops and sheds, and sending thick plumes of smoke visible across the area. The blaze, which reportedly started in one of the vendor sheds or warehouses, caused panic among traders, workers, and nearby residents.
This incident comes just days after the devastating Gul Plaza mall fire on MA Jinnah Road, which claimed at least 23 lives, left dozens missing, and caused massive economic damage.
Immediate Response and Containment Efforts
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Fire Brigade, along with Rescue 1122 teams, quickly responded to the scene near Super Highway/Sohrab Goth. Multiple fire tenders were deployed, and firefighting operations brought the flames under control relatively swiftly in most reports.
Officials confirmed that the fire was contained without spreading to the entire market, though several shops and storage areas were damaged or burnt. Initial accounts described the blaze starting in vegetable vendor sheds, with flames spreading to nearby structures filled with goods.
No casualties or injuries have been reported so far, marking a contrast to the Gul Plaza tragedy where delayed response and resource shortages exacerbated the crisis. Traders expressed fears of significant financial losses due to destroyed perishable goods and infrastructure, though exact damage estimates were not immediately available.
Context Amid Rising Fire Safety Concerns
The New Sabzi Mandi incident highlights ongoing challenges in Karachi’s fire safety infrastructure, especially following the Gul Plaza inferno that exposed deficiencies in fire tenders, water supply, and building compliance.
Social media users and local observers noted the rapid arrival of fire brigade units this time, but some early reports claimed delays, with shopkeepers initially attempting to fight the blaze themselves. Authorities are assessing the cause—possibly electrical faults or accidental ignition amid dry, flammable materials common in wholesale markets.
This event underscores the need for urgent improvements in fire prevention, equipment, and staffing across high-risk commercial areas in Karachi. Traders and residents have called for stricter enforcement of safety standards to prevent further incidents in densely packed markets.