Mayor Yahya Göztepe tells 12punto what happened: Bozcaada burned because of a cigarette butt
A fire broke out on agricultural land in the Bozcaada district of Çanakkale. While the flames were being fought from the air and the ground, Bozcaada Mayor Yahya Göztepe explained the latest situation to 12punto. Göztepe said, "The fire has been brought under control and cooling efforts are underway. A cigarette butt on the side of the road may have caused the fire. We are focusing on this."
Semih Demirhan
Semih Demirhan
A forest fire broke out on agricultural land in Bozcaada, Çanakkale, this morning. The fire, which is thought to have started around 11:30 AM, spread to a large area in a short time. Upon the situation being noticed by those in the vicinity, fire crews from surrounding districts, primarily the Bozcaada Municipality, were dispatched to the scene.
While fire crews were intervening in the fire, citizens also supported the efforts with water tankers.
As the alarming fire was brought under control, Bozcaada Mayor Yahya Göztepe explained the latest situation to 12punto.
Stating that the fire has been brought under control and that cooling efforts are now being carried out, Göztepe said, "Help arrived from Ayvacık, Geyikli, and Ezine. Cooling is being performed from the air by helicopter and from the ground with vehicles in the entire surrounding area. The fire had reached the sea, so the fire ended at the sea," he said.
Stating that the fire started from the side of a road, Göztepe said, "It is estimated that a cigarette butt caused the fire. However, there is nothing certain yet," he spoke. Göztepe also stated that there was no loss of life or property in the fire, and that only forests were burned.
Finally, Göztepe said that unextinguished cigarette butts and broken bottles are thrown onto the road, and that this can lead to fires.