• Six people, including a firefighter, have been confirmed dead due to a fire in Karachi's Gul Plaza shopping mall.
• The fire broke out late Saturday night and rapidly spread, leading to significant structural damage.
• Rescue operations face challenges due to the complex layout of the mall and reports of individuals potentially trapped inside.
• Prominent leaders have expressed their condolences and called for improved safety measures.

A massive fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi has killed at least six people, including one firefighter, and left many others injured. The fire erupted late Saturday night and quickly engulfed the building, leading to reports of individuals being trapped within the complex. Eyewitnesses noted flames shooting from windows and balconies as thick smoke billowed through the area, visible from several blocks away, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Rescue services received an alert shortly before 10:45 PM on Saturday, and upon arrival found the fire had already spread from ground floor shops to upper levels, complicating efforts to manage the blaze. Reports indicate that features of the mall's layout, such as a basement and multiple floors of shops, hindered rescue work, prompting officials to invoke mass disaster protocols, as confirmed by both police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed and Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassanul Haseeb Khan, according to India Times and BBC.

The blaze reportedly consumed highly flammable materials, including plastics and imported garments stored within the mall, contributing to its rapid spread. More than twenty individuals have been treated for injuries, while some remain unaccounted for as firefighters continue their efforts into Sunday morning. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for an inquiry into fire safety standards in light of this disaster, reflecting ongoing concerns about safety protocols in commercial buildings in Karachi, as per Al Jazeera, and Reuters.