KARACHI: A fire that erupted in the basement of the blaze-damaged Gul Plaza was brought under control on Sunday, fire brigade officials said, after 12 fire tenders were deployed to douse the flames at the building.

A fire brigade official said that cooling operations were underway after firefighters extinguished the blaze at the once-sprawling shopping complex, which was sealed following a deadly fire in January that claimed 79 lives.

Initially, three fire tenders were dispatched to control the blaze, but the number was later increased to a dozen as firefighters worked to bring the flames under control.

Speaking to Geo News, Additional Deputy Commissioner South Asma Batool said that the building, which had been sealed, caught fire in the basement.

Teams were attempting to enter the premises to assess the situation, she said, adding the extent of damage across shops was not immediately clear.

Police later said that a suspected drug-addicted person, allegedly attempting theft, may have started the fire after entering the premises of the sealed complex.

The individual has been taken into custody for questioning, they added.

Meanwhile, firefighting teams requested immediate assistance from the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), which activated emergency protocols at Nipa Chowrangi and Safoora hydrants.

An official said that water tankers were dispatched to support operations, with the hydrants’ cell head in close contact with the fire brigade and rescue officials.

At the affected site, firefighting teams used specialised smoke injectors to clear the smoke from inside the gutted building.

With firefighting operations underway, one lane of MA Jinnah Road has been closed for traffic over safety concerns.

Traffic police said that the route from the Tibet Centre towards Numaish Chowrangi has been closed for all traffic.

This is a developing story and is being updated with further details.