ISTANBUL, Esenler – A five-year-old boy, reportedly playing with a lighter, caused a house fire in the Menderes neighborhood of Esenler, Istanbul, on Friday. The incident, which occurred around 11:00 AM, resulted in substantial material damage to the apartment, though thankfully no lives were lost. Footage of the escalating flames was captured on a mobile phone camera.
Details of the Incident
The fire broke out on the ground floor of a five-story building in Menderes Mahallesi. According to initial reports, Fatma Yılmaz was preparing breakfast for herself and her five-year-old grandson. While watching cartoons, the boy began playing with a lighter, inadvertently igniting a sofa. The flames quickly spread, engulfing the entire apartment.
Witnesses immediately alerted emergency services, and fire and police teams were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze, but not before significant damage had been done to the residence.
Eyewitness Account from the Grandmother
Fatma Yılmaz, the boy’s grandmother, recounted the terrifying moments: “I was frying in the kitchen. My granddaughter turned on cartoons for the boy to watch. Then she came to the door and called me. I came and saw her pulling the rug towards the sofa. I grabbed the boy’s arm and immediately ran outside. He’s a five-year-old child. They went to the doctor; my son’s psychology is disturbed. He goes for treatment every week. I went outside and shouted for someone to call the fire department, for God’s sake. The child is fine, nothing happened to him.”
Mobile phone footage captured the fire as it intensified, and emotionally charged moments of the family embracing and crying after their home was reduced to ashes were also recorded.
Aftermath and Investigation
While there were no casualties reported, the apartment sustained considerable material damage. The exact extent of the damage is currently being assessed. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the precise cause and circumstances surrounding the fire.
This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with children playing with fire and highlights the importance of keeping lighters and other flammable materials out of reach of young children.
Previous Incidents and Safety Concerns
This incident is one of several recent fire-related events in the region. Other reported fires include:
- A person setting their home on fire after an argument with family.
- A man allegedly opening fire on a house and then an office.
- A fire causing panic in an abandoned house in Bursa.
- Eight people injured after fireworks set a house on fire during a marriage proposal ceremony.
These incidents underscore the critical need for fire safety awareness and preventative measures across communities.
Source: https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/esenlerde-5-yasindaki-cocuk-cakmakla-oynarken-evi-yakti-4777779
