Lighthouse Market Fire Destroys Over 70 Stalls in Karachi

The Lighthouse market fire caused heavy losses for vendors on Thursday. The blaze erupted near Lady Dufferin Hospital and spread fast through makeshift stalls. It destroyed goods worth hundreds of thousands of rupees. However, the community felt relieved because no lives were lost.
Many vendors expressed deep grief over the destruction. They said the fire wiped out their entire stock in minutes. As a result, they appealed to the Sindh government for financial support. They explained that the disaster hit their livelihoods at the worst possible time.

Firefighters Describe Major Challenges

Fire officer Zafar Khan from the KMC Fire Brigade shared details about the incident. He suspected that an electrical short circuit may have sparked the fire. However, officials still need to confirm the exact cause.
Narrow streets in the Lighthouse area complicated access for fire tenders. In addition, encroachments blocked rescue paths and slowed down the operation. These obstacles allowed the flames to spread quickly through the crowded stalls. Therefore, the teams called for additional vehicles soon after arriving at the scene.

Vendors Suffer Severe Financial Losses

The fire started suddenly among temporary vendor setups under the Kharadar police jurisdiction. It moved rapidly and engulfed dozens of closely packed stalls. Police, fire brigade, and rescue teams rushed to control the blaze. They launched a full firefighting
operation as the flames intensified.
Firefighters battled the blaze for about 45 minutes before gaining control. Despite their quick action, the damage remained extensive. The fire destroyed more than 70 stalls and pushcarts carrying winter clothing. For example, vendors lost jackets, sweaters, socks, blankets, and shoes.
Many traders had purchased their winter stock on credit from Shershah Market. As a result, the loss created a heavy financial burden. Vendors now hope the government will support them during this difficult period.