50 shops turned to ashes in Victoria Center inferno

Karachi: The cooling process has been completed in the fire-affected a multi storey building of Victoria Shopping Center located near Abdullah Haroon Road in Karachi's Saddar.

According to details, the cooling process that continued throughout the night has been completed.

The fire broke out on the top floor (fifth) of the Victoria Market, adjacent to the Zainab Market, on Abdullah Haroon Road on Tuesday morning, when the departmental store was closed. 

The fire engulfed fourth storey of the building, destroying the valuables including groceries, clothing and other items. 

Rescue 1122 and fire brigade vehicles rushed to the spot after receiving information and started firefighting. It was put out after hectic efforts lasting several hours.

Rescue sources said that four fire fighting vehicles are busy dousing the inferno. The fire completely turned the goods of 4 to 5 shops into ashes.

Officials said the floor mainly comprised of godowns housing winter clothes. Though the exact cause of blaze is yet to be ascertained, they believed that an electric short-circuit might have started the fire.