A forest fire that has been raging since yesterday near the town of Geyve in the Sakarya district of northwestern Turkey has led to the evacuation of two settlements, the Anadolu Agency reported, BTA reports.
According to Sakarya Governor Rahmi Dogan, the fire broke out at around 5:00 p.m. local (and Bulgarian) time. The cause of its outbreak has not yet been established. Hundreds of firefighters, military personnel from the ground forces and volunteers, as well as five planes and eight helicopters, are participating in controlling the fire.
Due to the growing element, a complete evacuation has been announced in the villages of Tasholuk and Hacılar. In Tasholuk, three residential buildings have completely burned down, local authorities reported.
The firefighting effort is still ongoing, with additional measures being taken in the neighboring Bilecik district. The fire is spreading into a forested area along the border between the two districts.