ISTANBUL (AP) — A fire at a club in Istanbul that was being renovated on Tuesday killed at least 29 people, officials and reports said. Several people, including managers of the club, were taken in for questioning.
At least one person was receiving treatment at a hospital, according to the statement from the Istanbul governor’s office.
The Masquerade club, which was closed for renovations, was located on the ground and basement floors of a 16-story residential building in the Besiktas district on the European side of the city cut by the Bosphorus. The fire was put out.
Gov. Davut Gul informed reporters at the scene that the cause of the fire was being looked into and it was believed that the people who died were involved in the renovation work.
Some of the victims passed away in hospitals where they were taken in ambulances, as reported by private NTV television.
Authorities took six people, including club managers and the person in charge of the renovations, in for questioning, according to Gul’s office.
The club was closed for the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, and its owners were trying to finish the renovation work in time for next week’s Eid holiday, following the month of fasting, NTV reported.
Police blocked off the area while cutting off power and natural gas to the neighborhood as a safety measure.
Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said authorities were examining the entire building to determine its safety.
Several firefighting and medical teams were sent to the scene, he said.
The club did not have the required permit for construction and renovations, the mayor stated.
