At least 40 dead in Pakistan slum fire

by Sanjay Jha | January 9, 2009 at 01:28 am

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In a major fire in the slums of Karachi port city of Pakistan at least 40 people, including 22 children, were killed and over 20 others injured when a major fire ripped through two dozen hutments in Pakistan's largest city today.

The cause of the fire, which erupted a little after midnight, is yet to be determined. However, officials said it was probably caused by an illegal electrical connection that had been rigged in one of the huts.

At least forty people including many minor children and women were burnt to death as blazes completely engulfed many shelties in North Karachi sector five, Chiipa sources said.

12 fire tenders reached on the scene and started taming the fire meanwhile, many other people were seriously burnt who were shifted to hospital, sources added.

No cause of fire eruption, in huts made of sticks, could be reported. Several people remained caught in the fire for long time.

Eidhi sources added that over two dozens completely burnt dead bodies including 15 children and women, were shifted to different hospitals. Emergency was declared in Abbasi Shaheed hospital, hospital sources informed Geo News.