Turkey has taken all steps to protect lives from fire near power plant: Top official

By Busra Nur Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey has taken all necessary precautions to prevent any loss of life at the scene of a fire near a power plant in southwestern Mugla province, the country’s communications director said early Thursday.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Fahrettin Altun said all personnel at the Kemerkoy Thermal Power Plant in Turkevleri district have been evacuated as part of safety measures.

The plant was evacuated Wednesday due to a forest fire in the area.

Emergency response teams continue to take all necessary safety measures with inspection and cooling processes at the power plant site, he added.

Altun said the teams will continue cooling work from air and land in the region in the morning.

The blaze has reached the perimeter of the plant, with efforts to douse the fire being hindered by strong winds in the region.

Flammable and explosive materials have also been removed from the plant.

Water tankers and fire trucks have been stationed at the plant in case the fire spreads further towards the main building.