Investigators have determined the cause of the massive fire at a Turkish ski resort that claimed at least 78 lives, including 36 children.
Cause of the Fire
Authorities report that the fire originated from an electrical grill on the fourth floor of the 13-story building. The flames spread rapidly throughout the resort, which was operational since 1978 and had a capacity for 500 visitors. At the time of the fire, over 250 people were inside.
Timeline of the Incident
The fire broke out at 3:30 AM on Tuesday, but the hotel’s alarm system failed to activate. By 3:53 AM, a power outage plunged the building into darkness. Guests who were awake managed to escape using light from their cellphones.
Firefighters, despite the resort being only 35 kilometers from Bolu city center, arrived late, reaching the scene at 4:25 AM. Within five minutes of their arrival, over 50 people were rescued. However, by 5:48 AM, the fire had engulfed the entire building, requiring several hours to extinguish.
Inspections and Arrests
Following the tragedy, inspections were carried out at other resorts in the area. At a nearby facility owned by the same proprietor, 11 individuals were arrested after violations were discovered during inspections.
The tragedy has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stricter safety measures in public facilities across Turkey.
