Overview
- Testimony to the judicial commission chaired by Justice Agha Faisal detailed missing emergency lighting and exit signage, blocked routes, and a lack of public announcements inside the building.
- Chief Fire Officer Muhammad Humayun Khan said the power was cut per protocol, which, without backup lighting, worsened visibility and contributed to fatalities as guards were not instructed to open doors.
- DG Rescue 1122 Wajid Sabghatullah reported the alert at 10:35 pm and brigade arrival by 10:52 pm, with traffic congestion delaying fire tenders, snorkels and bowsers and limiting access to upper floors.
- Officials described interior temperatures exceeding 1,000–1,200°C and heavy smoke that vaporised water on contact, with teams forced to cut through iron grills to extract bodies.
- The commission heard that false ceilings, poor ventilation, narrow or obstructed exits and coordination gaps — including few available fire-brigade vehicles compared with KMC — accelerated the blaze and hampered rescues.