A fire broke out in Belen district in Hatay, Turkey, on 9 October and it continues to spread across several places near the city into its second day. One fire fighter suffered from inhalation of smoke and seventy people were affected by the fire.
The fire has begun to affect human settlement areas and has spread to the Arsuz and İskenderun districts of the city. Attempts to extinguish the fire have been hindered due to strong winds and a part of Belen-İskenderun highway has been closed due to the fire.
Whilst fire crews have attempted to extinguish the fire, some citizens have been asked to leave their houses for safety reasons.
According to a report by Gazete Karınca, one fire fighter was poisoned by smoke inhalation and had to be hospitalised. Police and fire crews have been mobilised around the region and continue to battle the fire.
Hatay governorship has issued a statement: It has launched an investigation into the matter and detained two people under suspicion of sabotage. According to the statement, the fire cannot be extinguished at present due to adverse weather conditions.
The Agriculture and Forest Minister Bekir Pakdemirli stated that 18 houses, 14 workplaces, 8 factories, 4 vehicles, 3 storehouses, 35 bee hives and 70 people have been affected by the fire.