A fire at a multistory shopping plaza in Karachi killed six people, including a firefighter, as crews battled the blaze that erupted overnight, officials said Sunday.

The fire broke out late Saturday at Gul Plaza, spreading rapidly through shops selling cosmetics, garments, and plastic goods, Dr. Abid Jalal Sheikh, the city’s chief rescue officer, told reporters. About 75 percent of the fire was brought under control, but firefighters expected another four to six hours to fully extinguish the flames.

Five bodies were recovered from the four-story building and its basement, which housed roughly 1,200 shops. A firefighter died while trying to douse flames on the upper floors, and some people may still be trapped inside, rescue officials said. Families continued searching for missing relatives.

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Television footage showed thick smoke rising from the damaged building as dozens of firefighters in protective gear battled the blaze. Parts of the structure collapsed during the fire.

The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined, and authorities have launched an investigation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the deaths and directed authorities to deploy all resources to prevent further loss of life.

Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, has seen a string of deadly fires, often linked to poor safety standards and illegal construction. In November 2023, a shopping mall fire killed 10 people and injured 22.