Fire leaves İstanbul's Balıklı Rum Hospital severely damaged

Patients were evacuated and transferred to other hospitals as flames engulfed the hospital run by İstanbul's Rum minority. The fire was contained within a couple of hours.

İstanbul

Photos: AA

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A fire broke out today (August 4) at the Balıklı Rum Hospital in Zeytinburnu, İstanbul, for an undetermined reason.

Patients were evacuated as flames rapidly engulfed the roof of the historical building.

The authorities dispatched firefighters, police and healthcare workers for efforts to put off the fire and help the patients.

The fire was contained and efforts to cool down the scene are underway, the İstanbul Governor's Office announced a couple of hours after the start of the fire.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew appreciated the quick response to douse the blaze and limit damage at what he said was one of the most important charitable institutions serving the elderly.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to the state and municipal authorities, as well as firefighters, nursing home and hospital workers, and everyone who volunteered to put out the fire and save the nursing home residents,” he said.