Taxi Engulfed in Flames on Okmeydanı Viaduct
Istanbul, April 1 – A commercial taxi caught fire on the Okmeydanı Viaduct in Kağıthane last night. The driver, Ali D., managed to pull the vehicle to the side of the road and safely evacuate all passengers, including a child, before the fire spread rapidly. The incident occurred around 9:00 PM.
Rapid Response to the Incident
According to eyewitnesses, smoke began to rise from the left headlight of the 34 THA 34 plate commercial taxi while it was in motion. The wind quickly caused the flames to engulf the vehicle. Upon noticing the smoke, the driver, Ali D., immediately pulled over and, despite the panic, ensured the safe evacuation of all occupants.
Emergency services, including police, fire brigades, and medical teams, were dispatched to the scene following the alert. Firefighters worked for approximately half an hour to bring the blaze under control. Unfortunately, the taxi was rendered unusable due to the extensive damage.
Driver’s Account: A Child Was Inside
Ali D., the driver of the taxi, recounted the harrowing experience: “A man came to me and said smoke was coming from the car. Suddenly, smoke started coming from the left headlight. I immediately pulled over to the right. There were passengers in the car. Nothing happened to the passengers. The flames flared up quickly. There was a child, about 7-8 years old, in the car. I didn’t panic and got the child out.”
The quick actions of the driver prevented any injuries to the passengers, highlighting the importance of swift decision-making in emergency situations.
Investigation Launched into the Cause of the Fire
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. At this stage, no further details regarding the cause have been released. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers on the road and the critical role of driver vigilance.
The Okmeydanı Viaduct is a busy thoroughfare in Istanbul, and such an incident could have had more severe consequences if not for the driver’s prompt response.
This incident is one of several recent events in Istanbul involving vehicles or public transport, as highlighted by other news reports from the Istanbul Gazetesi, including a passenger bus colliding with a truck and various other traffic-related incidents. The city’s emergency services remain on high alert to respond to such situations effectively.
