On Monday, a fire erupted in the Mass Communication Department at Karachi University, a renowned institution known for producing many of Pakistan’s leading journalists. The blaze began around 10am in the department’s audio-visual room, reportedly due to a short circuit.
Two fire tenders were dispatched to the scene and quickly brought the situation under control. According to Professor Dr. Asmat Ara, the department’s chairperson, the fire started when an air conditioner caught fire during a class. Fortunately, all students were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported.
The fire caused damage to the audio-visual room, including the complete destruction of the air conditioner and some furniture. Despite the incident, morning and evening classes will continue as scheduled.
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) fire department, along with the university’s fire rescue and campus security personnel, played a crucial role in extinguishing the flames. An investigation into the exact cause of the short circuit is expected to follow.
This incident highlights the importance of regular maintenance and safety checks in educational institutions to prevent such occurrences in the future.
