20.07.2026 20:50
A fire that broke out early in the morning in the Tatvan district of Bitlis was prevented from turning into a major disaster at the last moment. A truck driver, noticing smoke rising from a house where 22 people lived in Sarıkum village from approximately 6-7 kilometers away, woke the family up before they could be caught sleeping and evacuated them. Teams dispatched to the scene upon notification extinguished the fire, while AFAD set up two tents for the residents of the house, which became unusable. An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire.
A fire broke out for an undetermined reason at around 05:00 in the morning in a house in Sarıkum village, located in the Tatvan district of Bitlis, and was noticed by a truck driver passing by, who reported the situation to the 112 Emergency Call Center.
A FAMILY OF 22 ESCAPED DISASTER
Upon the report, fire brigade, AFAD, and gendarmerie teams were dispatched to the scene. With the teams' rapid response, the fire was brought under control and extinguished, while the family of 22 people inside the house was evacuated. For the family, whose house became unusable in the fire, AFAD teams set up two tents and provided initial shelter support.
"THE TRUCK DRIVER NOTICED THE SMOKE FROM ABOUT 6-7 KILOMETERS AWAY"
Tahir Pilatin, whose family's house was damaged in the fire, said, "Around 05:00 in the morning, I received a phone call, they said 'Your mother's house is on fire.' I live in Güroymak. As soon as I heard the news, I hit the road. Apparently, a truck driver passing by noticed the smoke from about 6-7 kilometers away. He stopped his vehicle, came to the house, woke my family up while they were sleeping, and got them out. Then, he informed the fire brigade and AFAD teams. May God be pleased with him. If that truck driver hadn't passed by at that moment, none of my 22-member family would be alive today. He saved my family's lives. We don't even know who he is, but we are grateful to him," he said.
"AFAD TEAMS SET UP TWO TENTS FOR OUR FAMILY AND WERE WITH US IN EVERYTHING"
Pilatin also thanked the AFAD, fire brigade, and gendarmerie teams, who arrived at the scene quickly and intervened in the fire, saying, "The teams reached the scene very quickly. They made every effort. AFAD teams set up two tents for our family and were with us in everything. I thank the AFAD teams, fire department workers, and gendarmerie personnel for their hard work and support. May God be pleased with them all," he expressed.
"99 PERCENT OF OUR HOUSE BURNED"
Stating that nearly all the belongings in the house became unusable in the fire, Pilatin said, "99 percent of our house burned. Almost nothing inside remained intact. My family is in a very difficult situation."
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire.