Sabotage suspected in fire: Silivri Mayor Bora Balcıoğlu speaks to 12punto

12punto.com.tr Caner Taşpınar

The fire that started in the Gazitepe neighborhood of Silivri, Istanbul, grew rapidly due to the wind. The flames reached the roadside, threatening citizens in traffic.

The Silivri-Gazitepe road was closed to traffic, and moments of citizens having accidents while trying to escape the fire were captured on camera.

Numerous fire crews were dispatched to the region. Firefighters, who made intense efforts to prevent the flames from reaching nearby houses, were initially insufficient to intervene in the fire, which grew due to the wind. Sunflower fields and orchards suffered significant damage due to the fire.

Silivri Municipality teams began efforts to evacuate houses in the area. With the Silivri Municipality organizing all institutions in a short time, this fire, which was close to the city center, was brought under control.

12punto has reached detailed information regarding the fire in Silivri.

It was not the only fire in Silivri. Fires occurred at approximately 8 different points in the region. In this sense, a disaster was narrowly averted in Silivri.

SİLİVRİ MAYOR SPEAKS TO 12PUNTO

Silivri Mayor Bora Balcıoğlu, who was on the field due to the fires in Silivri and in constant meetings with all institutions, made a statement to 12punto during a short break in meetings.

In his statement to 12punto, Silivri Mayor Bora Balcıoğlu said, "I am on the field; it is the largest fire experienced in Silivri. It is a fire approximately 8 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide. This fire, which was close to the city center, grew with the southwesterly wind (lodos)."

SİLİVRİ MAYOR: I CONSIDER THE FIRES TO BE A DELIBERATE ACT

Underlining that fires occurred at approximately 8 different points outside the area close to the Silivri city center, Silivri Mayor Bora Balcıoğlu emphasized the possibility of sabotage, saying, "I consider the fact that there were fires in approximately 8 locations to be a deliberate act."

Stating that the fire near the city center lasted about 4 hours, Mayor Balcıoğlu said, "The fire here ended, and fires began to break out in the Gümüşyaka, Çanta, and Değirmenköy regions. I requested support from neighboring districts. Only the fire in Değirmenköy was continuing; we finally brought that under control as well. Cooling work in the center of Silivri continues. We can say the fire is over."

Stating that there was no loss of life, Silivri Mayor Bora Balcıoğlu said the following:

"We worked meticulously to prevent loss of life. We evacuated our citizens on farms and in the area near the fire. We mobilized all institutions and organized in a short time. Thanks to this, we did not cause any loss of life. Our veterinary directorate brought the animals in the area near the fire under control."

News Source: Caner Taşpınar