A HUGE
fire has engulfed several floors of a hospital building in
Istanbul,
Turkey – a shocking video shows a thick plume of black smoke rise from the building as firefighters tackle the blaze.
The footage from a local television broadcaster shows the blaze submerge several floors of the
Gaziosmanpasa Taksim Educational and Research Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey.
A fire that engulfed several floors of a hospital in western Istanbul on Thursday was contained by firefighters and there were no casualties, local fire officials said.
Local media have said the fire is thought to have broken out on the roof of the hospital and spread through the building.
Several explosions have been reportedly heard at the scene, according to local media reports.
Eye-witness identified as Tuğçe, a patient at the hospital, said: "We saw smoke. Then, there were explosions."
Turkish broadcaster NTV said buildings in the area of the hospital were also being evacuated and firefighters were battling the fire.
An official said the fire at the hospital has been mostly contained to the roof and the building's exterior cladding.
Hospital staff have been seen evacuating patients and equipment through the main entrance of the building.
Mayor of GaziosmanpasaHasan, Tahsin Usta, said that the fire was partly under control.
Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin told CNN Turk said: “The fire has been partly brought under control. In terms of casualties, there are none so far.”
He added: “The fire erupted on the exterior of the building, but there is of course smoke inside.”