OST of our cities are dotted with firetraps, while firefighting facilities are woefully inadequate to deal with hazards. This can certainly be said for Karachi, a city of millions where regulations are lax and fire hazards plentiful. The tragic fire on Thursday at an industrial unit in the port city is indicative of the problems that rescuers face. At least four firefighters lost their lives fighting the blaze, while several more people were injured, after the factory collapsed. Police say the unit in question did not have any fire exits and lacked fire-extinguishing equipment. Circumstantial evidence would suggest this is the case in most of Karachi`s industrial units. It is also true that the mushroom growth of high-rise buildings in the city poses fresh fire hazards, as it is difficult to imagine most builders adhering to fire and safety codes in construction.

Of course, there are regular reminders for those willing to take notice of the dangers fire hazards pose to human life and property. One of the biggest disasters in Pakistan`s history was the 2012 Baldia factory arson. Though the premises were set on fire deliberately, the tragedy was exacerbated as there were no fire exits, and the windows were reportedly barred.

Another high-rise in Karachi had to be evacuated after a fire broke out because a superstore in the building had illegally hoarded cooking oil in its basement. Fire tragedies will continue to happen unless the city and provincial governments get serious about tackling violations of safety codes. Moreover, the ill-equipped fire department also needs to be overhauled.

Firefighters say a city the size of Karachi needs hundreds of fire engines along with safety gear that can help them better perform their demanding jobs. Public safety and hazard reduction are quite clearly not on the list of priorities of our rulers. Unless this apathy gives way to concern for human lives and well-being, little will change.