PodcastFire severely damages Istanbul's historical Balıklı Rum Hospital
A fire broke out at the nursing home section of Istanbul's Balıklı Rum Hospital on Aug. 4. Authorities later said that the fire was brought under control and cooling works were going on in the area. The hospital was established in the 18th century and is run by the Greek community of Turkey.
Duvar English
A fire broke out at Balıklı Rum Hospital in Istanbul's Zeytinburnu district on Aug. 4 due to an unknown reason. Patients were evacuated from the hospital and transferred to other health institutions.
Zeytinburnu Mayor Ömer Arısoy said that the fire broke out at the hospital's nursing home section. "After the smoke, all of the patients were evacuated. Firefighters are currently trying to bring the fire under control. The fire was noticed early. We have evacuated 100 people -- all of the patients and health teams."
The hospital's roof was completely burned and did not spread to the down floors of the section.
Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu held a joint press statement, saying that no casualties or injuries have been so far reported.
Fire Department Director Remzi Albayrak later told reporters that the fire was brought under control and cooling works were going on in the area.
Intense smoke rising from the historical building was observed from other districts of the city.
The Balıklı Rum Hospital was established in the 18th century and is run by the Greek community of Turkey.