Fire near Türkiye’s ancient city Ephesus under control

A fire broke out in a grassy, maquis area near the entrance to the ancient city of Ephesus in Selcuk, Izmir.

The aerial and ground intervention of the teams brought the flames, which approached the toll booths of the ancient city, under control.

‘8,600 years of history’

Selcuk Mayor Filiz Ceritoglu Sengel, who announced that the fire was under control, said: “8,600 years of history were at risk of disappearing. I urge our citizens to stay vigilant.”

At noon, a fire broke out in an area near the lower gate of the Ancient City of Ephesus. The fire brigade and teams from the Izmir Regional Directorate of Forestry dispatched themselves to the area upon receiving notification from those who saw the flames.

Fire brigades and land vehicles intervened in the fire, complementing the fire-extinguishing aircraft.

The teams’ aerial and ground intervention brought the flames, which approached the ancient city’s toll booths, under control.

‘Recurrence of human error’

“We received a report of a fire at the lower gate of the ancient city of Ephesus, close to the stadium. Despite the incomplete investigation, we suspect a recurrence of human error,” Ceritoglu Sengel stated.

“A discarded cigarette butt had destroyed 8,600 years of history. Fortunately, there was an urgent intervention. Aerial and ground intervention brought the fire under control. We are discussing a fire that, because of the influence of the wind, reached the toll booths of the ancient city. I invite our citizens to be careful. I say get well soon, Ephesus; get well, Selcuk,” she said.