Islamabad: A deadly blaze at Karachi's Gul Plaza shopping mall has killed at least six people, with officials warning on Sunday that the toll may rise as several remain trapped inside.

The fire, at the shopping mall, which houses around 1,200 shops, reportedly broke out at a flower shop around 10: 15 PM on Saturday and had yet to be extinguished more than 15 hours later.

Firefighters stated that the lack of ventilation and the closure of windows at the mall - which spans over 1.75 acres, roughly the size of a football field - has led to smoke filling the interior of the building, hindering rescue efforts.

Pakistan Navy, Rescue 1122, and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation machinery are battling the blaze, which erupted on the ground floor and spread to the third floor.

Officials said the third-degree fire has severely gutted the building, compromising its structure and preventing rescue personnel from entering.

Hospital officials have confirmed that at least four bodies have been brought to the Civil Hospital Trauma Centre, and two to the Burns Ward. A firefighter named Furqan, belonging to the Nazimabad Fire Office, was recovered from the rubble and brought to the Civil Hospital Trauma Centre.

As many as 15 injured have been brought to the Civil Hospital Trauma Centre, of which 14 have been discharged. Two wounded people were brought to Jinnah Hospital and were discharged after receiving relevant medical aid.

Confirming the death toll while speaking to the media, Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani said that there's still a possibility that many people are inside the building. "All efforts were made to control the fire in time, and many people were evacuated," Ghani said as he urged the citizens to cooperate with the authorities.

The minister, while stressing the provision of fire extinguishing equipment in buildings, called for ensuring emergency exit routes.

The government has established helpline to facilitate the public in light of the Gul Plaza blaze via collaboration between South Zone Police and the District South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso.

Information on Gul Plaza tragedy or missing persons should be reported to DC South, said Khoso.

The information can be given by reaching out at the cellphone numbers including 03135048048; 02199206372; and 02199205625.

Meanwhile, the citizens can seek information via helpline numbers 02199205670; 02199201196; and 02199205691.

The shopping mall building has become dilapidated due to the blaze's intensity. The ground and mezzanine floors have been completely burned, whereas the upper two floors are also on fire. The complex houses shops selling a wide range of items, including clothes, crockery, perfume, makeup, electronics and toys.

Speaking to a private TV channel, District South DC Khoso said that the fire has erupted again in the back of the first floor of the building.

"There are fears that people are on the first and mezzanine floors," said the DC, adding that the rescue teams have not been able to reach these floors.

Noting that there is no way to exit in case of an emergency, the DC said that investigation is underway to find out why an emergency exit was not made in the building. "We will check the map and other things with the relevant institutions." "It was directed to ensure fire extinguishers [in building], but they were not present in the building," the official added.

Additionally, Karachi Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, who was speaking to the media during a visit of the incident site, another portion of the shopping centre collapsed - reflecting the dire condition of the structure owing to the hours-long inferno.

Meanwhile, Sindh Emergency Service Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer Dr. Abid Jalaluddin Shaikh said that 20 fire tenders and four snorkels are taking part in firefighting operations from three sides of Gul Plaza.

Noting that all available technical equipment is being used to extinguish the fire as quickly as possible, the rescue official added that materials stored inside the plaza are making it difficult for rescue teams to control the blaze.

Fire brigade officials feared that several people were still trapped inside the mall. "We cannot say at this stage how many people are still trapped inside the building," the official added.

Shaikh added that a portion of the building's rear side has collapsed, increasing the risk for both trapped individuals and rescue workers.

The presence of air conditioning shops in the building is creating additional challenges for firefighters, he said.

The blaze quickly spread inside the old building because of certain flammable material stored there, he said, confirming that due to the intense heat, a pillar of the building collapsed, raising fears that more parts of the structure could cave in.

Separately, revealing details of evacuation, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Asad Raza has said 25 people have been evacuated from the building so far.

Earlier, authorities had said that hours of firefighting efforts had stopped the blaze from spreading further, but it had nevertheless reached the third floor before being contained. Soon after the fire brigade said the fire had been contained, conflagration again erupted with long flames coming out from the first floor. Video footage showed flames engulfing several shops as firefighters worked to extinguish them.

The chief fire officer said that people trapped inside the shopping mall were evacuated with the help of snorkels. The firefighting operation was temporarily paused in the early hours of Sunday before being resumed 15 minutes later.

Sindh Rangers personnel, as per the spokesperson, are also taking part in rescue efforts alongside other emergency services. The cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have expressed profound grief over the tragic fire incident in Karachi. In their separate statements, they extended their condolences over the loss of precious lives and conveyed heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims.

The President and Prime Minister directed the Sindh government and authorities concerned to provide immediate and comprehensive assistance to the affected individuals and traders. They emphasized that every effort should be made to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care.

PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over martyrdom of firefighter Furqan Ali, who lost his life during relief operations in the Gul Plaza fire in Karachi.

The Prime Minister said Furqan Ali sacrificed his life while saving the public. He said we stand with Furqan Ali's family in this moment of grief. He prayed that may Allah Almighty elevate Furqan Ali's ranks and grant his bereaved family patience and strength to bear this loss. He also expressed profound grief over the deaths of other innocent individuals in the tragic incident.

Meanwhile Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed grief over the loss of life and property damage in the conflagration. The PPP chief offered his condolences to the families of those who died in the blaze.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the incident, directing Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi to immediately inquire into the incident, find out the reasons behind the fire and submit a report. Issuing directives for fire safety arrangements in the building to be checked, CM Shah ordered a strict implementation of fire safety laws. "Fire safety audit should be conducted immediately in commercial buildings of Karachi," the provincial chief executive stressed.

Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar has called for alternative traffic routes to be established to ensure safe passage for residents. He has also directed the SSP City to investigate the cause of the fire and instructed officials to prevent the flames from spreading further.

The minister underscored the need to keep access routes clear for fire brigade vehicles and emergency personnel.

Hours after the fire broke out, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab expressed his sorrow over the loss of life in the tragedy. "We stand with the families of those who died during this difficult time," Wahab said.