Three shantytown houses destroyed in Istanbul fire

A fire erupted in Istanbul's Gaziosmanpaşa district early Tuesday, engulfing three gecekondu, or shantytown houses, in flames. The blaze began around 3 a.m. in the Yenidoğan neighborhood on Armağan Street, starting in a single dwelling.

Residents quickly alerted those inside the affected house and then contacted emergency services, including firefighters, police, and medical teams. The fire rapidly spread from the initial house to two neighboring gecekondus, fanned by the flames that lit up the night sky.

Fire crews arrived at the scene and battled the blaze from two different points. Police cordoned off the area to ensure safety, while medical personnel stood by. The fire was eventually brought under control and extinguished by the efforts of the firefighters.

Fortunately, no injuries or deaths were reported as a result of the fire. However, the gecekondus suffered significant damage. Fire officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, and police are also conducting a separate inquiry into the incident. Cellphone footage captured by residents showed the intense flames rising from the houses and the anxious onlookers.