How 4 basic rules could have prevented hotel fire tragedy in Türkiye’s Bolu
A fire broke out at a hotel in Türkiye's Kartalkaya Ski Resort, a prominent tourist destination, leaving 76 dead and 51 injured, in Bolu, Türkiye, on Jan. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
A devastating fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu’s Kartalkaya Ski Resort during the early hours of Jan. 21, 2025.
The blaze claimed the lives of 76 people and injured 51 others, sparking outrage across Türkiye.
Architects and fire experts explained that the tragedy could have been avoided if four basic fire safety rules had been followed.
These principles, often overlooked or ignored, are essential for preventing such disasters and saving lives.
How did the hotel fire start in Türkiye’s Bolu?
The fire began around 3:30 a.m. in the restaurant area on the fourth floor of the 12-story hotel. With 237 guests staying at the hotel, including families and children, panic erupted as emergency alarms failed to activate.
Witnesses said fire sensors and smoke detectors did not work, leaving guests unaware of the danger until the blaze rapidly spread through the wooden-clad structure.
Some guests attempted to escape by tying bedsheets together to climb out of windows. Others, disoriented by thick smoke, struggled to find the fire exits, which were poorly marked and difficult to access.
The absence of a sprinkler system made the fire grow faster. Firefighters, stationed 45 kilometers (28 miles) away, took approximately 40 minutes to arrive. It took them 11 hours to control the flames.
Major safety failures, negligence that worsened fire’s impact
Architect Mine Kavasogullari stressed that tragedies like this can be avoided through basic fire safety measures. She outlined the four essential principles for fire safety:
- Preventing the fire from starting
- Containing the fire to stop it from spreading
- Ensuring everyone in the building can safely evacuate
- Allowing fire response teams to access the structure
In hotels, it is critical that fire escape routes are clear and well-marked. Materials used, from carpets to curtains, must be fire-resistant and certified. Sprinkler systems and fire alarms should function without fail, and all staff must be rigorously trained for emergencies. When these basic precautions are taken, the likelihood of deaths during a fire is almost zero.
Architect Mine Kavasogullari explained
At the Grand Kartal Hotel, these precautions were alarmingly absent:
- Fire alarms and sprinklers: Sprinklers, reportedly installed in 2008, were not operational.
- Fire exits: The hotel’s two fire escapes were located inside the building, made of combustible materials, and engulfed in flames and smoke during the incident.
- Building materials: Extensive wooden cladding inside and outside the hotel accelerated the fire’s spread.
- Emergency response: The hotel had only one vehicle entry point, limiting access for firefighters and hampering evacuation efforts.
Questions about responsibility, conflicting statements from authorities in Türkiye
The tragedy has revealed gaps in oversight and accountability. Bolu Mayor Tanju Ozcan claimed that the Grand Kartal Hotel’s location was outside municipal jurisdiction and that the hotel’s license was issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy countered by saying the hotel’s fire safety certificates, last issued in 2021 and 2024, showed compliance with regulations.
Documents from Bolu Municipality revealed that the Grand Kartal Hotel’s restaurant had been flagged for eight fire safety violations in December 2024. These included:
- Non-compliant evacuation routes.
- Insufficient emergency lighting and signage.
- Faulty alarm and detection systems.
- Lack of fire extinguishing equipment and instructions.
- Absence of lightning rods and smoke ventilation.
After receiving this report, the hotel management withdrew its inspection request, avoiding further scrutiny.
Broader issues with fire safety enforcement in Türkiye
Taner Kaboglu, Vice President of the Turkish Fire Protection and Education Foundation, described the incident as part of a broader pattern of negligence.
“Fire safety regulations exist, but enforcement is often weak, especially for older buildings. Retrofits for fire safety are not mandatory, leaving many structures vulnerable,” Kaboglu explained.
He detailed critical failures at the Grand Kartal Hotel:
- The absence of fire compartments to contain the blaze.
- Poorly designed escape routes.
- Lack of maintenance for fire protection systems.
“Had there been functional sprinklers and proper fire compartmentalization, the fire could have been contained to a single floor. Evacuation would have been quicker, and fatalities could have been prevented,” Kaboglu added.
Public reaction and legal investigations into the Bolu fire
The disaster has provoked widespread public anger. Many criticized the weak enforcement of fire safety standards in high-risk establishments. Social media users and advocacy groups demanded accountability, urging authorities to close non-compliant facilities immediately.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced the appointment of six prosecutors and a five-member expert committee to investigate the incident. Authorities detained nine individuals, including the hotel’s owner, Halit Ergul.
Investigators are inspecting potential violations of fire safety laws, licensing issues and emergency preparedness.
