Karachi, December 12, 2023 : Karachi Police Conclude Investigation on RJ Shopping Mall Fire, Confirming 11 Fatalities Due to Short Circuit.
A four-member committee, led by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) East Ghulam Azfar Mahesar and including SSP East Irfan Bahadur, SSP Saud Magsi, and SP Gulshan Ayaz Hussain, finalized the report.
According to the report, the CCTV footage indicated that the fire originated in the cafeteria on the fourth floor, spreading rapidly due to substandard electrical wires and improper false ceiling installations in the building.
“The lack of firefighting equipment and emergency exits in the structure led to a more significant loss,” the report declares. It also disclosed that the builder handed over shops and offices to owners without obtaining a building completion certificate from the relevant authorities.
Additionally, the Faisal Cantonment Board had issued warnings regarding the absence of a fire safety system.
“The building owner, building management, and AI Foundation, the software house operating in the building, are held responsible for the damage caused by the fire,” stated the report.
Police teams probed officials from 12 institutions, along with the building owner, security in charge, and building administration. Reports from the Cantonment Board, K Electric, and KMC Fire Department were also incorporated.
READ: https://thebizupdate.com/2023/12/01/rj-mall-fire-court-approves-physical-remand-of-key-suspects/
The report proposed that electricity and gas connections should only be granted with a building completion certificate. Furthermore, it recommended legal action against the parties identified as responsible in the case.
The NED University experts in the report proposed mandatory approval of all buildings by the fire department. They also recommended bi-monthly fire drills by the fire department in both residential and commercial buildings.
Additionally, the report suggested immediate sealing of buildings that do not meet safety standards, along with compensation for those injured or killed in accidents.
