Forest fires in Hatay, Mersin and Çanakkale continuing! 2 people in custody for fire in Belen

Forest fire that started in Hatay 2. as we entered the day; there was also a fire in Çanakkale and Mersin. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that the fire in Belen had been caused by a fire lit in a reedy area, and 2 people were detained in connection with the incident.

At about 14.00 yesterday, a fire lit by two people living in a house in the Armutcuk area of the Soğukoluk Neighborhood  (in Belen, Hatay and connected to the district), to clear the reed bed area in their garden spread into the forest area when it came out of control. Citizens living in Muftiler, Soğukoluk and Benlidere were evacuated due to the rapidly growing fire caused by the wind. According to initial reports, 7 houses were burned and 4 vehicles were damaged in the fire that threatened settlements.

2 ARRESTS RELATED TO THE FIRE

The fire, which was effective on an area of 120 hectares, continued at night. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya and Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumaklı went to the fire zone at night and followed the work on site. Aircraft and other helitopters were also involved in the ongoing air intervention with a night-vision helicopter as the day brightened up. 450 personnel of the General Directorate of Forestry, officers working in other public institutions and organizations and the people of the region are continuing their work on the second day to extinguish the fire. On the other hand, it was learned that the judicial process of the two people detained for causing the fire is continuing.