After 17 days of intensive firefighting efforts, the mysterious fire in the Korangi area has been brought under control. The fire began following the drilling of a 1,200-foot-deep borehole on March 29 and had drawn significant public attention due to its unusual nature.
While the flames have been extinguished, gas emissions continue to rise from the pit, and water—initially used to control the fire—continues to flow from the site.
Read more: Uncontrolled Fire in Korangi Creek Raises Concerns Over Underground Gas Reserves
The incident sparked concerns over the type and amount of gas involved, prompting the Ministry of Petroleum to form a special committee to assess the methane gas at the site. To manage the situation, a team of experts from Cudd Well Control, a renowned US-based emergency response firm, was brought in.
Technical teams from Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and United Energy Pakistan Limited recently visited the site. They observed that the fire’s intensity had remained constant, indicating the involvement of a significant volume of gas. The site crater has expanded due to water overflow and the loosening of surrounding sand. Additionally, hot water continues to flow from the site, emitting visible vapor.
Preliminary chemical tests of the water released from the site have raised alarm. The water sample contained dangerously high levels of benzene, toluene, and tetrachloroethylene. The concentration of tetrachloroethylene was found to be 33 micrograms per liter, significantly above the permissible limit of 5 micrograms per liter.
Benzene levels were also high at 19 micrograms per liter, exceeding the allowable threshold of 5 micrograms per liter. Toluene was recorded at 15 micrograms per liter, three times higher than the recommended safety level.
Despite these concerning findings, the overall hydrocarbon content in the water was within acceptable limits. Local residents are worried about the health risks posed by the chemicals, and environmental experts are urging further investigation into the long-term impact of the ongoing gas emissions.
