6 People Killed and at Least 4 Others Injured in Fire at Perfume Factory

A deadly fire tore through a perfume factory in Turkey on Saturday, Nov. 8, claiming the lives of six people and leaving at least four others hospitalized. The blaze broke out in Dilovasi, a town in the northwestern Kocaeli province, around 9 a.m. local time. Early reports indicate that explosions were heard before the fire erupted.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene, and the fire was brought under control in under an hour. However, the damage was severe. The factory’s exterior was entirely destroyed, exposing the building’s gutted interior. Local officials confirmed that the fire claimed the lives of six people, and four others were rushed to the hospital, with one in critical condition in a burn unit.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences, offering his sympathy to the victims’ families. The country’s labor ministry has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Witnesses described the chaotic scene. One local resident who spoke to news outlets recalled seeing a man engulfed in flames after an explosion went off, followed by screams from inside the factory. The terrifying events unfolded quickly, leaving workers trapped in the inferno.

Dilovasi, located about 43 miles from Istanbul, is an industrial town known for its numerous factories. Authorities are now investigating the incident, with three people detained in connection to the fire. The Turkish justice minister confirmed that a judicial inquiry has been initiated.