Tragedy in a 26-story building in Ankara! A chain of negligence claims lives: Contractor detained

A fire that broke out at the 26-story Yaşamkent Valero Complex, located in the Alacaatlı neighborhood of Ankara's Çankaya district, has claimed three lives. According to allegations, the fire started on the 4th floor of the building due to a malfunction in the electrical wiring and spread throughout the building in a short time.

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched a comprehensive investigation, assigning 3 public prosecutors to the case. Initial inspections conducted in the building after the fire determined that the point of origin was the electrical installation in the shaft section.

EXPERT REPORT: NON-STANDARD MATERIALS WERE USED

In a preliminary assessment conducted by an expert team consisting of a mechanical engineer, an electrical engineer, and fire department officials, it was determined that non-standard materials were used in the building's electrical installation. It was stated that this caused the fire to spread easily.

Furthermore, it was announced that another factor that played a major role in the flames spreading through the building during the fire was that the shaft doors were made of wooden material. It was emphasized that these doors were also contrary to existing standards.

FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM DID NOT WORK: THERE WAS NO WATER IN THE SYSTEM

One of the most striking findings was that there was no water in the fire extinguishing system located in the building. It was stated that the flames, which began to spread in the corridors, could not be brought under control for this reason. Experts pointed out that the fact that the fire system was not active increased the scale of the tragedy.

CONTRACTOR DETAINED, NUMBER OF DETENTIONS MAY INCREASE

An arrest warrant was issued for the building's contractor regarding the fire. The contractor, who was detained in Uşak, will be brought to Ankara to have his statement taken. Prosecution sources reported that the number of detentions could increase based on expert reports and that steps would be taken against other individuals or institutions found to be responsible.

HEROIC SECURITY GUARD LOST HIS LIFE

One of those who lost their lives in the fire was 63-year-old site security guard Muharrem Çetinkaya. According to eyewitness accounts, after the fire started, Çetinkaya attempted to go up to the higher floors by elevator to warn and assist the building's residents. During this time, he lost his life due to smoke inhalation.

News Source: 12punto