Fire under control, says mayor

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

The blaze was sparked by an explosion of unknown origin at Dilovası, an industrial zone 40 kilometers from the city center. The explosion occurred around 5.15 a.m. in the storage area of the zone.

Two security guards at the compound informed the authorities of the blast and the ensuing blaze. It is believed that 20 people work at the depot where the blast occurred. Dilovası falls within the confines of Kocaeli province.

No injuries

"The fire is now completely under control," said Cemil Yaman, the mayor of Dilovası, on NTV television. No one was hurt in the blaze, Yaman said. Teams of firefighters were sent to prevent the fire from spreading to tanks of other chemicals in the vicinity.

The measures included digging trenches to channel the flow of flammable liquids away from the tanks, the Anatolia news agency reported. The cause of the explosion was not yet known, the agency said, adding that damages were estimated at $3 million. Most of the material stored at the industrial zone is imported.