On Saturday, AFP correspondents reported that firefighters were fighting a huge forest fire in Turkey’s Aegean city of Izmir for the third day, following the evacuation of hundreds of residents from neighboring towns the day before.
Although fires were still raging in the surrounding woodlands, firefighters claimed to have partially contained the flames that had threatened the port city for the past three days.
Grey smoke billowed into the sky as AFP photographers witnessed the charred ruins of several buildings and vehicles in an industrial zone in the northern neighborhood of Ornekkoy.
“We don’t know what to do. Our workplace is located in the middle of the fire. We have lost our livelihood,” said 48-year-old Hanife Erbil, who earns a living collecting paper and plastic waste.
The pine trees that once crowned the surrounding hills were also burned.
“It was such a beautiful route, it smelled of pine trees everywhere. It makes me want to cry,” said taxi driver Ayhan.
The city, which is Turkey’s third most populous, had a smoky odor.
The army has been called into action, and firefighters from other Turkish cities have been dispatched as reinforcements.
“Everyone is working hard. I’m on my 36th hour of service. We can say the fire is partially under control,” said Izmir firefighter Arjin Erol.
