Huge fire breaks out at plastic factory in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

There were no initial reports of injuries or casualties and there were also no reports about the cause of the fire, according to Doğan News Agency.

The incident occurred at a factory producing rubber and plastic at the Baltaş industrial estate in Bayrampaşa at 10:30 a.m.

Fire crews from the Eyüp, Bayrampaşa, Gaziosmanpaşa, Fatih, Bakırköy, Şişli and Bağcılar districts arrived at the scene to battle the fire.

Medical personnel were sent to the area after the fire broke out and the site was also guarded by police.

A number of people stuck in the three-story building due to the fire were rescued by the fire crew. 

The fire also spread to a parking area on the top floor of the building, damaging up to 30 cars and causing a number of small explosions.

Some schools located near the site of the factory were temporarily closed, and a huge black smoke cloud rose from the site of the fire, visible across Istanbul. 

The Istanbul Municipality stated that the fire had been brought under control but firefighting efforts were continuing.

The fire affected a 25,000-squaremeter area, while over 75,000 liters of water were used to extinguish the fire, the statement added.