KARACHI: The office of a web television channel representing the Christian community was destroyed in a mysterious fire in Karachi, officials said on Wednesday.

According to Mehmodabad Station House Officer (S.H.O) Sarwar Commando, the blaze erupted in the two-room office of ‘Gawahi’ (web TV) in Akhter Colony area of the city on Monday night.

The officer added that the web channel had its equipment worth over Rs1 million destroyed in the fire.

Talking to Dawn, the SHO said that the the channel’s office was located in a residential building in Akhter Colony where the fire broke out on Monday night.

Families residing on the ground and second floor of the building were rescued by firemen after hectic efforts. The two-room office of the channel was located on first floor of the building.

The SHO claimed that a short-circuit triggered the blaze according to the initial report of the Fire Brigade officials. He also claimed that the channel's management did not report any threat to their organisation prior to the fire.

Residents of the area too denied seeing anyone entering the office before the incident.

The police received an application from the channel's management on Tuesday and is carrying out an inquiry into the incident.

The SHO maintained that the police decided to acquire CCTV footage from security cameras installed at a Church nearby to ascertain whether it was arson or accidental fire.

The channel had its equipment worth over Rs1 million destroyed in the fire, said the SHO. ─Photo: Ali Chishti

Claims of 'sabotage'

Sarfraz William, the director of the television channel told a foreign media house that the fire was an act of sabotage.

William claimed that some chemical was thrown to destroy computers while other instruments such as wooden furniture in the office remained safe, which gave rise to the suspicion that it was arson.

He claimed that they had received threats from suspected militants in the past to close their channel preaching Christianity.

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