Fire at pallet factory in Kocaeli brought under control after hours

The fire broke out around 04:00 at a logistics factory located in the Barış neighborhood of the Gebze district. The fire, which started for reasons yet unknown, engulfed the entire factory in a short time.

Upon notification, numerous fire, AFAD, UMKE, medical, and police teams were dispatched to the scene. Firefighting efforts by the crews arriving at the scene are ongoing. Support teams from neighboring provinces also arrived to assist in battling the flames.

While the fire was being fought for 3 hours, the flames spread to other adjacent factories. It was reported that explosions also occurred at the factory from time to time.

The scale of the fire was captured from the air by drone.

BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL AFTER HOURS

The fire, during which explosions occurred periodically, was brought under control after approximately 8 hours of intervention by the teams.

Teams are currently conducting cooling operations in the area.

"THERE IS NO LOSS OF LIFE OR INJURY"

According to AA, Gebze District Governor Mehmet Ali Özyiğit stated to reporters that the area where the warehouse is located covers 21 thousand square meters, saying, "From the very first moment, all our state institutions, primarily AFAD and the fire department, have taken the necessary measures."

Stating that deputy governors and the Mayor also arrived at the scene, Özyiğit said, "Our colleagues have taken measures to prevent it from spreading to the surroundings because there is not much possibility of extinguishing it through intervention. Therefore, the fire will not reach surrounding factories and facilities. We are waiting for the fire to extinguish on its own. Since there are chemical products, there is not much possibility of extinguishing it through intervention."

Özyiğit noted that there were no casualties or injuries, that there were no employees inside, and that the 2 security guards in the warehouse had exited safely.

"THE FIRE IS BEING INTERVENED WITH 47 VEHICLES AND 130 PERSONNEL"

Mayor Zinnur Büyükgöz also stated that the fire is being fought with the participation of all teams, involving 47 vehicles and 130 personnel.

Expressing that the intervention is primarily aimed at preventing the fire from spreading to the surroundings, Büyükgöz continued as follows:

"However, because it is chemical, there is no possibility of sudden extinguishing. Based on the information we received from the property owners, there is no situation where it creates gas and becomes toxic. In that sense, there will be no situation that will disturb the residential areas in the vicinity. It has been stated that there are mostly resin-based materials. We hope and estimate that it will be completely extinguished by noon."

Büyükgöz stated that all units, the Governorship, the District Governorship, and AFAD are in the area, and that the Metropolitan Municipality fire department and Gebze Municipality fire teams are continuing their intervention efforts.

Stating that there were no deaths or injuries, Büyükgöz conveyed his best wishes.

STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR OF KOCAELİ

Kocaeli Governor Seddar Yavuz announced that measures have been taken to prevent the fire that broke out in a warehouse containing chemical products in the Gebze district of Kocaeli from spreading to the surroundings.

In a statement on his social media account, Governor Yavuz said, "Our fire crews are intervening in the fire that broke out at a logistics pallet factory in our Gebze district. AFAD, environmental, and our other technical teams are also in the field, and the necessary measures have been taken to prevent the fire from spreading to the surroundings. Get well soon."

News Source : İHA