Huge fire engulfs Istanbul airport

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

ISTANBUL, Turkey (CNN) -- A massive fire that engulfed part of Istanbul's international airport left three people injured but did not cause major air traffic delays, Turkish officials say.

A Transport Ministry official said Wednesday's blaze, which broke out in the cargo section of Ataturk Airport, was under control and that flights were continuing.

Turkey's Deputy Gov. Fikret Kasapoglu private NTV television that three people suffered smoke inhalation but there were no other casualties.

He said the fire was believed to have been caused by a short circuit of electrical systems in a cargo area of the airport, and may have caused secondary explosions causing the fire to quickly spread.

NTV reported that the fire began in a section where fuel depots were located, according to The Associated Press. Electrical work was being carried out at the time, one witness said.

Thousands of people were forced to flee from the blaze as thick plumes of smoke and giant orange flames rose about 30 meters (100 feet) into the air. (Watch giant orange flames covered in smoke fill the sky -- 1:00)

Kaya Heyse, a producer for CNN's sister network CNN Turk, said the smoke could be seen from all over Istanbul.

The blaze broke out at 3:30 p.m. (1230 GMT) in the cargo area of Terminal A, which is about 1,000 meters (yards) from the main passenger terminal, a witness told NTV.

Hundreds of people gathered along the perimeter of the airport to watch the scene.

Heyse said the fire was contained in the cargo section of the airport, although it briefly threatened a hotel near the airport.

Firefighters tackled the blaze on the ground as planes doused water from the air.

Aided by winds blowing in the opposite direction, hundreds of firefighters worked to keep the flames away from a building near the cargo area that contained fuel tanks.

An airport worker said computer systems were shut down, but flights were continuing, with workers using manual systems to check people in and out. Priority was being given to landing planes and delays were expected for departures, she said.

"The fire is under control and we're taking precautions to prevent it from spreading to passenger terminals," Baris Tozar, the undersecretary of the Transportation Ministry, told AP.

"There are no problems concerning flight security," Tozar added.

Airport director Irfan Balta said planes had been moved away from the fire, according to AP.

More than 10 million people live in Istanbul and the airport is the country's largest.

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/0...fire/index.html

[Sister Fracas 5]

That Fischy... tsk... gotta keep yer eye on that one...she's suspicious...

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

That Fischy... tsk... gotta keep yer eye on that one...she's suspicious...

I didn't mean THAT. I hope she's OK.

[almaty 19]

same here..i hope she is fine..damn, i saw thew fire on the telly..it was a burning pretty good

[Ban Hammer 13,622]

That Fischy... tsk... gotta keep yer eye on that one...she's suspicious...

I didn't mean THAT. I hope she's OK.

lol. i hope she is ok too

[Sister Fracas 5]

That Fischy... tsk... gotta keep yer eye on that one...she's suspicious...

I didn't mean THAT. I hope she's OK.

I wasn't meaning to make light of it...

I wouldn't have said anything had people been hurt, but it seemed to have been contained and people and air traffic were ok.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

That Fischy... tsk... gotta keep yer eye on that one...she's suspicious...

I didn't mean THAT. I hope she's OK.

I wasn't meaning to make light of it...

I wouldn't have said anything had people been hurt, but it seemed to have been contained and people and air traffic were ok.

I know. I forgot to put my smile in

[Fandango 1,440]

Anyone heard from her yet?

[Sister Fracas 5]

That Fischy... tsk... gotta keep yer eye on that one...she's suspicious...

I didn't mean THAT. I hope she's OK.

I wasn't meaning to make light of it...

I wouldn't have said anything had people been hurt, but it seemed to have been contained and people and air traffic were ok.

I know. I forgot to put my smile in

[gimygirl 0]

i thought she was back in the States as of this month ....

but more importantly ........ RCH CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[almaty 19]

rich, is a bleeding heart ol' softie...

[Mina76 0]

And I'am supposed to be going out there this Sunday to be with my darling husband

[almaty 19]

And I'am supposed to be going out there this Sunday to be with my darling husband

wow, i assume everything will be fine by then

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

i thought she was back in the States as of this month ....

but more importantly ........ RCH CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course I do. I remember leaving a stupid answer on her thread about her going to Turkey. On the 18th she said she would be in Instanbul 'next week'. This is next week. I'm sure she is OK but also sure this could cause travel problems.

[Mina76 0]

I hope so almaty

But I'am so excited about going back to Istanbul for a visit after hubby has been here a year in the US.