Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Scores killed as hotel engulfed by flames in Turkish ski resort
BBC ^ | 01/21/2025 | Malu Cursino & Kathryn Armstrong

Posted on 01/21/2025 7:58:26 AM PST by BenLurkin

At least 66 people have been killed in a fire that engulfed a popular Turkish ski resort hotel, leaving some to jump out of windows.

The fire broke out at the wooden-clad 12-storey Grand Kartal Hotel at 03:27 local time (00:27 GMT) during a busy holiday period when 234 people were staying there.

An initial toll of 10 dead was raised significantly in the hours after the fire by Turkey's interior ministry. At least two people died after trying to jump to safety.

It took 12 hours for the fire to be put out. Four people have been arrested, including the owner, the justice minister says.

The cause of the fire has not yet been found, but...initial reports suggested it had broken out in the restaurant section of the hotel's fourth floor and spread to the floors above.

Aydin said the distance between the hotel, in Kartalkaya, and the centre of Bolu, paired with the freezing weather conditions, meant it took more than an hour for fire engines to arrive. Emergency services sent 267 workers to the site.

...

The hotel was last inspected in 2024, and the tourism minister said there had been no concerns regarding the hotel's fire safety prior to Tuesday's disaster.

However, the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) said that according to regulations, an automatic fire extinguisher system is needed.

"In the photos on the hotel's website, it is seen that the automatic sprinkler system, which was supposed to be installed in 2008, was not installed," the union said in a statement.

...

The Bolu mountains are popular with skiers from Istanbul and the capital Ankara, which is roughly 170km (105 miles) away, and the hotel was operating at high occupancy at the start of two-week school holidays.

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...


TOPICS: Outdoors; Sports; Travel
KEYWORDS: fire; firesprinklers; grandkartalhotel; skiresort; sprinklers; turkey

1 posted on 01/21/2025 7:58:26 AM PST by BenLurkin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin
Four people have been arrested, including the owner, the justice minister says.

Justice comes swift in Turkey... When will Karen Bass be arrested?

2 posted on 01/21/2025 8:02:31 AM PST by jerod (Nazis were essentially Socialist in Hugo Boss uniforms... Get over it!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Snow skiing is not what comes to mind when I think of Turkey. Prayers for the victims and their families.


3 posted on 01/21/2025 8:14:10 AM PST by libertylover (Our biggest problem, by far, is that almost all of big media is AGENDA-DRIVEN, not-truth driven.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: libertylover

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC3WCAZY3vs


4 posted on 01/21/2025 8:17:21 AM PST by Hot Tabasco
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: jerod
How do you say "fire trap" in Turkish?
5 posted on 01/21/2025 8:19:34 AM PST by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: libertylover

Lots of mountains in Turkey


6 posted on 01/21/2025 8:20:51 AM PST by OldHarbor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: jerod

Four people have been arrested, including the owner, the justice minister says.


I don’t think they’ll be able to take the “Midnight Express”.


7 posted on 01/21/2025 8:21:29 AM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

In the photos on the hotel’s website, it is seen that the automatic sprinkler system, which was supposed to be installed in 2008, was not installed,”

Paying off the local officials back in the day winds up costing in the long run.


8 posted on 01/21/2025 8:22:36 AM PST by OldHarbor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Perhaps some people at the Department of State weren’t too happy with the way Erdogan has cozied up to the Russians. The sooner they’re gone, the safer the world will be.


9 posted on 01/21/2025 8:25:12 AM PST by BobL
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: billorites; jerod; All

Active scene Video of the bed-sheet “ropes”, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EoEJSgTmgM


10 posted on 01/21/2025 8:29:20 AM PST by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire, or both.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Yikes. That doesn’t look good.


11 posted on 01/21/2025 8:54:05 AM PST by OldHarbor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

an automatic fire extinguisher system is needed

They have been saying this since 2008? Geesh. I can’t even go a minute if there is a problem with my required sprinkler system in the shop. And I have to have the inspection every year. If the inspector sees something he doesn’t like he shuts me down before he even leaves the shop.


12 posted on 01/21/2025 10:39:31 AM PST by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin
That's a lot of kindling.


13 posted on 01/21/2025 11:14:58 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (The worst thing about censorship is █████ ██ ████ ████ ████ █ ███████ ████. FJB.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator

They’re more likely to get the coat peg in the head.


14 posted on 01/21/2025 11:43:55 AM PST by CletusVanDamme (You always said you'd take real good care of me, didn't you George. Here's one rap you won't beat.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson