Three Dead, Including a 3-Month-Old Baby, After Fire Sweeps Through Ankara Apartment Tower

A devastating fire at a high-rise residential building in Ankara, Turkey, claimed three lives, including a baby just three and a half months old, while dozens of people suffered from smoke inhalation.

The fire broke out on the evening of July 12, 2025, in a 26-story apartment building in the Çankaya district of the Turkish capital. According to reports cited by Azerbaijan’s APA news agency, the flames started on the fourth floor and spread rapidly through the building.

Firefighters rushed to the scene and worked for approximately four hours to bring the blaze under control. Residents trapped inside were rescued as emergency crews searched the building for anyone who might still be inside.

Three people died in the incident. They were identified as Aras Şahin, a three-and-a-half-month-old baby, Hüsniye Çelik Şahin and Muharrem Çetinkaya.

The fire also left numerous people affected by smoke. Initial reports said 20 people were hospitalized after inhaling smoke, while the Associated Press reported that 39 people, including seven firefighters, suffered mild smoke inhalation. Twenty people were taken to hospitals, and one was reported to be in critical condition.

The incident prompted an investigation by the prosecutor’s office to determine how the fire started and what circumstances led to the deaths and injuries.

As firefighters brought the emergency under control, authorities continued examining the building and gathering information about the incident. The cause of the fire had not been established in the initial reports.

The tragedy left three families mourning their loved ones and raised urgent questions about how the fire spread through the residential tower and whether any safety issues contributed to the disaster.

Source: en.apa.az