WEBDESK: A massive Karachi fire that broke out in the Korangi Creek area has finally been put out after burning for 18 straight days. The fire started on March 29 during a deep drilling operation, and officials believe underground gas reserves may have fueled the long-lasting flames.
According to authorities, the fire started while workers were drilling a 1,200-foot-deep borehole. Shortly after the drilling began, flames erupted from the ground and continued to burn non-stop.
Even though the fire has been extinguished, gas emissions are still coming from the same site. Firefighters reported that water used to douse the fire started bubbling and erupting, showing signs that gas is still leaking from underground.
The Ministry of Petroleum responded by setting up a special team to look into the cause of the Karachi fire. Experts from Pakistan Petroleum Limited and United Energy Pakistan visited the site, noting that the fire’s intensity remained constant for many days – another sign that a major underground gas source may have been disturbed.
Chemical tests on the water from the site revealed high levels of dangerous chemicals like benzene, toluene, and tetrachloroethylene. These are harmful substances that can cause serious health issues. Tetrachloroethylene was recorded at 33 µg/L, far exceeding the safe limit of 5 mg/L.
The government has also consulted Cudd Well Control, a U.S.-based company that specialises in emergency well incidents. Further investigation is ongoing to find the exact source of the gas leak and to assess the long-term damage caused by the Karachi fire.
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