Amid the blackened debris and furious murmurs, fire officers have to explain again and again why theirs was such an uphill task.
Listen to article 1x 1.2x 1.5x
As the charred Gul Plaza building smoulders and cools down, the public anger surrounding it continues to flare.
Zafar Khan, a fire officer, has not left the site of this shopping mall in Karachi since the night of January 17, when the iconic building caught fire. The raging blaze claimed 28 lives, while rescue teams continue to search for more than 60 missing people amid the charred rubble.
Being the most visible part of the response, much of the blame has fallen on the firefighters. But days later, with smoke still seeping from the building, Zafar can still be seen standing amid the blackened debris and angry murmurs, explaining again and again why it has been such an uphill task to douse the fire.
Amid the accusations and smoke, lies a quieter truth that must not be forgotten: fires may erupt in minutes, but the conditions that allow them to rage unchecked fester over years and years.
Where plastic or similarly inflammable material is present, he says, fire has a habit of re-erupting the moment it receives oxygen.
Continue Reading on Dawn
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.