Fire in Istanbul Attic Kills 10 Cats; 13 Rescued

A devastating fire in the attic of a five-story building in Istanbul's Avcılar district has led to a tragic loss of animal life. Ten out of the 25 cats housed in the apartment perished in the blaze, which erupted around 4 p.m. in the Gümüşpala neighborhood.

Firefighters responded swiftly to the incident, managing to rescue 13 cats from the burning structure. Two other cats reportedly jumped from a terrace during the fire. One of these cats found refuge under a parked car and was later reunited with its owner.

The owner of the apartment, Nesibe Şeker, was outside when the fire started. Upon arriving at the scene, she attempted to rush back into the building to save her pets. However, she was physically restrained by onlookers and police officers who were present to manage the situation.

Fire crews worked to contain the flames, preventing them from spreading to adjacent buildings and lower floors. The rescued cats were temporarily relocated to a nearby apartment. Şeker was visibly distressed, shedding tears as she watched the efforts to save her animals. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.