While Karachi was spared the dread of terrorism on Ashura, to meet which elaborated arrangements had been made in advance, at least 40 people, 22 of them children, were licked by ferocious flames that engulfed some two dozen improvised homes of squatters in the city's North Karachi area around the following midnight, in an unprecedented inferno.
According to reports more than 100 people were living in the huts built in a small area of about 240 square yards. Some residents had raised fire to keep themselves warm in the chilly January night. However, as ill-luck would have it, one of the huts assembled with bamboo and wood, caught fire, the wind fanning the flames beyond control.
More to this, a few gas cylinders burst, reportedly added to the intensity of the flames that swept across all the improvised residential structures, roasting most of the victims while asleep. Walled houses on three sides of the plot prevented the escape of those awake, while the open end was blocked by flames. Nevertheless, about 60 people reportedly managed, providentially, to leap over the frightening fire to safety.
Those who ventured to rush to help those trapped inside by dowsing the flames, had to run away for own safety. Of course, the daring task they had initiated was taken up by the fire brigade, but by that time it was all over. So much so that a taxi car and a motorcycle parked in the area were burnt down too.
Perhaps, the only saving grace was that about 15 people were reported to have escaped with minor burns. As for the relief, the survivors were reportedly taken to the nearby office of the Muttahida Quami Movement and later shifted to a government school.
Notably, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah announced a compensation of Rs 100,000 each for the heirs of 40 persons who lost their lives in the inferno. He made the announcement while expressing grief and sorrow over the loss of lives during a visit to the affected locality on Friday. Later, he also visited the survivors at the nearby school and enquired after their health, assuring them of free medical treatment.
He also told them that the government would spare no effort for their rehabilitation, saying the victims would be provided with shelter at an alternative place near Port Qasim, besides regularising the Katchi Abadis. The elected government's concern in the matter is quite understandable.
This also includes the investigation the Chief Minister had promptly ordered with instructions for submission of its report within a week. One hopes that the investigations would cover all the apprehensions arising from certain aspects of the incident with regard to the too small a size of the plot and its location in the midst of concentration of walled buildings. Taking into account the ingenious ways of the land-grabbers mafia, the element of arson cannot be ruled out either.