Fire continues to rages into seventh day

KARACHI: The mysterious fire that has been burning in Korangi Creek for the past seven days continues unabated, with authorities yet to take decisive action to contain it or address the ongoing situation.

The district administration has sealed off the plot where the fire continues to rage. Despite the presence of fire tenders from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and the cantonment board, authorities have not initiated active firefighting efforts, and the situation remains under observation.

The fire started after a 1,200-foot-deep bore was drilled at the site on March 29, raising concerns about the type and volume of gas responsible for the blaze.

Authorities have collected samples of sand and water for chemical analysis to determine the nature of the gas fueling the fire. They are maintaining a wait-and-watch policy, and they expect to decide how to proceed in the coming days after consulting all relevant stakeholders.

Chief Fire Officer Humayun Ahmed stated that Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) is overseeing the situation, with the fire brigade providing support, The News reported. He explained that although the fire’s magnitude has remained unchanged since it began, authorities are closely coordinating with PPL.

Drilling activities likely caused damage to underground earth plates, approximately 1,100 to 1,200 feet below the surface, triggering the fire. Although authorities have not definitively confirmed the type of gas involved, methane or biogas are likely culprits, as is typical in such incidents.

Ahmed stated, “This is the first such incident in Karachi, and while it’s a significant concern for residents, it’s relatively routine for companies like PPL and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC).” He clarified that while extinguishing the flames would not pose a challenge, doing so could make the situation more dangerous. As a result, expert agencies are handling the matter cautiously, with fire brigade personnel securing the area to prevent further damage.

Despite the ongoing blaze, Ahmed assured that the fire posed no risk to nearby refineries due to their distance from the blaze. However, he added that authorities were taking steps to protect surrounding forests from potential ignition caused by heat or stray flames.

Experts suggest that allowing the gas to burn out naturally is the safest course of action. They warn that any attempt to extinguish the fire could result in the formation of toxic gases, endangering nearby residential areas.

A recent assessment revealed that if the gas reserves are small, the fire will likely burn itself out within a few days. If the reserves are significant, authorities will take additional measures to secure the area and contain the fire.

The district administration confirmed that firefighting operations were temporarily halted on Saturday due to the intense heat, but KMC and Cantonment Board fire tenders remain on standby at the site.

In a related development, TPL Properties Ltd disclosed that drilling a test well for water exploration near Korangi Creek caused the fire. The drilling uncovered a shallow gas pocket, believed to be biogenic methane, a naturally occurring gas. The company has communicated transparently with stakeholders and continues to monitor the situation closely.

Experts, including former Chief Fire Officer Kazim Ali, have warned against attempts to extinguish the flames. They believe the fire will eventually burn itself out if left undisturbed, but cautioned that further firefighting could exacerbate the situation by spreading gas and increasing the risk to surrounding residents.

One expert has proposed constructing a soil mound and marking a 90-meter restricted area to contain the blaze.

The fire has captured the public’s attention, and authorities continue to monitor the situation while collecting samples to better understand the scale of the underground gas reserves and the associated risks.

The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has confirmed that its installations are not near the fire-affected area, while Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) is carefully assessing the impact on the gas supply.