29.08.2026 19:30
Kasimpasa Sports Club extended a helping hand to painter and musician Murat Melih Ozen, whose entire art collection was reduced to ashes when a firework launched from the Stat area hit his home. Speaking on the matter, painter and musician Murat Melih Ozen said, 'Our headman, the Beyoglu Municipality, and Kasimpasa Sports Club provided some assistance. It didn't fully cover the damage, but I am very grateful. They are very kind; I was deeply moved.'
In the flat where painter and musician Murat Melih Özen lived as a tenant on Tepebaşı Street behind Kasımpaşa Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium, a fire broke out on August 15 during the match played between Kasımpaşa and Trabzonspor.
FIREWORK HIT THE HOUSE, FIRE BROKE OUT
Özen, who was not at home at the time of the incident, was informed of the fire by his neighbors and the landlord. In the fire, Özen's oil paintings, painting materials, guitar, diplomas, and other belongings in the living room of the flat, which became unusable, were burned. In the report prepared by the fire brigade teams that intervened in the fire, it was recorded that a metal residue belonging to a firework, stated to have been thrown from around the stadium during the match, was found in the flat. The report stated that the fire was assessed to have broken out as a result of the firework igniting the belongings in the flat. After the incident, Özen filed a complaint and was temporarily placed in a hotel by Beyoğlu Municipality. It was stated that after the incident, Kasımpaşa Sports Club provided 500 thousand liras in financial support to Özen.
''THEY THREW A FIREWORK''
Özen, stating that he saw the flames coming from his home through a video call from his neighbor, said, "Afterwards, I got worried and asked my neighbor, 'Why might it have burned?' He said, 'They threw a firework.' I asked, 'Are you sure?' He said, 'Yes, many people here saw it.' I said, 'I mean, if there's any issue, will you come?' as a witness. He said, 'We'll gladly come. Many people already saw the firework coming here.' That day there was a Trabzonspor - Kasımpaşa match. Actually, a few had been thrown. One of them even came to the fountain, according to what they said. Someone put it out."
''THEY ARE VERY KIND, I WAS VERY MOVED''
Özen, stating that he has been interested in art for years and that his home contained many musical instruments and painting materials, as well as works and documents he had prepared for the exhibition he planned to open, said, "I had everything a person could keep at home. Our headman, Beyoğlu Municipality, and Kasımpaşa Sports Club provided some assistance. It didn't fully cover the damage, but I thank them very much. They are very kind, I was very moved. Because they also said this was a neighborly help, they tried to do their best. They acted with very good intentions. There is nothing as beautiful as people supporting each other. This moved me, frankly."