Initial findings on Turkish hotel fire point to major negligence, deficiencies
According to preliminary findings in the investigation of the hotel fire in Turkey that claimed 79 lives, the blaze began in the restaurant's kitchen, which lacked a sprinkler system. The building's internal fire escape acted as a chimney, carrying smoke to the upper floors, possibly leading to numerous fatalities from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Duvar English
The investigation into the fire disaster at the 12-storey Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu province’s Kartalkaya Ski Resort has revealed initial details of the hotel's insufficient fire protection systems, as reported by the broadcaster NTV.
According to information obtained during the investigation led by the chief prosecutor, the fire started in the kitchen area of the restaurant within the hotel. It was also revealed that the kitchen lacked a sprinkler system.
A report released by the Bolu Municipality Fire Department stated, "Based on statements from hotel staff and eyewitnesses who first responded to the fire, along with our own examination, it was determined that the fire originated in the kitchen/restaurant area located on the 4th floor."
The fire department recommended that an expert panel evaluate the cause of the fire, as the extensive damage to the hotel building prevented the discovery of any evidence suggesting intent, if it existed.
One of the most discussed issues regarding the fire at the hotel was the condition of the fire exits. Teams determined that the building did have fire escape stairs inside the building. However, during the fire, these fire exits functioned like a chimney.
The smoke from the fire, which started on the lower floors, rose to the upper floors via these exits. Survivors of the fire also reported that they tried to reach the fire exits but were unable to escape due to the dense smoke.
According to safety regulations, these exits should have doors on each floor. The footage showed that the areas referred to as fire exits did not have any doors and were functioning as regular staircases.
It was reported that many of the deaths were due to carbon monoxide poisoning. A total of 79 people lost their lives in the fire.
Based on the fire department's report, more than 50 people were rescued from the hotel's windows using a laddered fire truck, and one person was rescued using a trampoline.
According to regulations, fire exit doors serving more than four floors should be fire-resistant for at least 90 minutes. The regulation also states that "bedrooms should be separated from the interior corridor by a wall that is fire-resistant for at least 60 minutes."
For the kitchens, which were identified as the source of the fire, the regulation specifies that "kitchens and tea rooms should be positioned with fire-resistant partitions that separate them from other parts of the building for at least 120 minutes. Wood and other easily flammable materials cannot be used as partitions."
According to the fire department's report, the first alert was received at 03:30 (local time), but the teams were able to reach the scene only at 04:24 after traveling a distance of 42 kilometers.