Son of Turkish Stars pilot reveals how he saved his family from the fire

The death toll from the fire at the Grand Kartal hotel in the Kartalkaya district of Bolu has risen to 78. As heartbreaking stories emerge following the tragedy that shook Turkey, the struggle experienced during the fire has also been brought to light. One of these stories belonged to the Konukman family. Atilla Konukman, who is known to be one of the founding pilots of the Turkish Stars, and his family were among those who experienced the horror at the Grand Kartal.

THEY WERE ON THE 8TH FLOOR OF THE HOTEL

Atilla Konukman's son, cargo plane pilot Çağlar Konukman, was caught in the fire on the 8th floor with his family.

HE SAVED HIS FAMILY FROM THE FLAMES

Çağlar Konukman managed to escape from the flames with his 6-month pregnant wife, Meftun, and his three daughters.

The family, who clung to life at the last moment thanks to fire department ladders, was taken under treatment at the İzzet Baysal Training and Research Hospital.

"MY HAIR CAUGHT FIRE, I USED PLASTIC BOTTLES AND TOWELS..."

According to the report by Sabah, Çağlar Konukman described the moments of terror with these words:

“The flames reached the window of the room, my hair caught fire. The fire alarms were not working, and the fire extinguishing systems were not activated. I wetted my family's heads with water from plastic bottles, and I washed towels in the faucet to seal the gaps in the doors. I tried to protect my wife's and children's faces with small towels. We tried to get air by breaking the glass. When those in the next room asked for help, we wanted to bring them inside, but the room filled with smoke. The fire crews arrived at the last moment and evacuated us through the window.

"I HAD NEVER SEEN SUCH A DISASTER"

Atilla Konukman also stated, “I have been flying for 55 years, I have never seen such a disaster. In this day and age, it is unacceptable that fire extinguishing systems do not work in a holiday hotel and that there are no evacuation plans. We cannot even rejoice that our own family survived. We wish God's mercy upon those who lost their lives and healing to the injured.”

While the cause of the fire is still being investigated, the lack of adequate safety measures against fire at the hotel has drawn significant backlash.