Fire guts solar panels, chemicals worth billions at Karachi warehouse

A massive fire broke out in a warehouse storing solar panels, batteries and chemicals near Hawkes Bay in Karachi on Tuesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The blaze caused loss of billions as its reduced solar panels to ashes along with chemical.

Traders complained that the fire-fighting teams arrived at the scene so late which caused loss of billions.

As soon as Central Command and Control Rescue 1122 received the information, fire-fighting and rescue teams along with 10 fire brigade trucks were engaged in extinguishing the blaze in Ansari warehouse. In total 15 fire-fighting trucks including from Pakistan Navy took part in the operation.

According to rescue spokesperson, Rescue 1122 was trying to control the fire.

Along with solar panels and batteries, other flammable materials were also stored in the warehouse, the spokesperson said.

The firefighters were facing difficulty in extinguishing the blaze with water due to explosive material and instead they were using foam to douse the fire in the chemicals.

The process of channeling the smoke through the ventilation hole on the roof of the warehouse was also under way, the spokesperson said.

Reporter: Kamran Minhas