One week after an underground fire broke out during borehole drilling in Karachi’s Korangi area, the blaze continues to burn, but officials say there is no evidence of a large underground gas deposit fueling it.

Initial chemical analysis of water samples collected from the fire site revealed elevated levels of benzene, toluene, and tetrachloroethane, all of which are hazardous to health. O-xylene was also found in slightly higher concentrations, though hydrocarbon levels remained below the permissible limit.

Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan stated that the intensity of the fire has diminished and the bubbling water has also reduced. He noted that under normal circumstances, this fire could have been controlled within an hour, but the presence of trapped gases poses a risk of further escalation.

“Typically, such gas can continue burning for up to a month. In this case, it doesn’t appear to be fueled by a major gas reservoir,” he added.

Construction company denies prior warning signs

Humayun Khan also explained that Eid holidays caused delays in receiving the chemical report, which could have otherwise helped speed up containment efforts.

The fire began during drilling by a private construction firm in a housing society. The company’s CEO claimed they drilled only up to 1,200 feet and had conducted soil testing beforehand, which showed no signs of gas presence.