A fire broke out in the Aspat region of the Akyarlar village of Muğla”s city of Bodrum. The fire, alleged to have started from a cigarette thrown into the roadside bushes, spread to the Aspat mountain, where the historical Aspat Fort stands, and to the outlying agricultural fields. Growing rapidly with the stiff winds, the fire threatened Bank Evler, Kale Kent Holiday Complexes as well as Aspat Beach Club and Termera Touristic Facilities. The smoke rising from Aspat Mountain and Aspat Fort could be seen from Gökova, Bodrum and ören.
Two hotel employees affected by smoke
The fire brigades of the municipalities of Turgutreis, Ortakent, Yahşi, Bodrum, Bitez and Konacık, 2 helicopters and the tractors and tankers in the region joined the firefighting efforts, led by Bodrum Kaimakam Abdullah Kalkan. The nearly 80 personnel of Aspat Beach Club and Termera Touristic Facilities, as well as most of the native and foreign guests staying at the facilities also helped fight the fire, while some were seen leaving the area with their luggage and children; some of the villa owners also left. The hotel employees and guests tried to stop the spread of the fire into the grounds of the facilities with water carried in pails and fire extinguishers. During the efforts, two of the hotel personnel were overcome by smoke. They were taken to the health center for treatment.
The 1200 year old antique baths on the slopes of the Aspat Mountain, restored last year, was saved from burning by the efforts of the hotel personnel and the tourists. During the firefighting, joined by the Bodrum AKUT team, the helicopters scooped water from among the holidaymakers enjoying water sports.
The fire raged for approximately two hours, and smoke covered the Gökova Bay. The tourists on the tour boats watched the fire from the sea.
Alleged to have started from a cigarette butt
While the hotel personnel insist that the fire started from a lighted cigarette butt thrown on the roadside, Akut Bodrum Chairman Alp Kököz said, “The fire that started on the roadside rapidly grew to threaten the touristic facilities and the complexes in the region. We beg those on holiday in the region not to throw out lighted cigarettes from the windows of their cars.”
The fire, brought under control in two hours, devastated 8 hectares of agricultural and brushland. As the cooling operations continue, the gendarmerie have started an investigation.
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