Deputy Mayor of Bolu Arrested
The investigation into the tragic fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu, which occurred on January 21, continues to unfold. The Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has been conducting inquiries, leading to further developments in the case.
Following the completion of procedures at the Provincial Gendarmerie Command, several individuals, including Bolu Courthouse Deputy Mayor Sedat Gülener, Fire Department Deputy Director Kenan Coşkun, and firefighters İrfan Acar, were questioned by the prosecution. The hotel’s interior architect A.B was also subjected to inquiries.
The interior designer was released after the EU query, but Coşkun and Acar were arrested and brought before the 2nd Magistrate Criminal Judiciary, bringing the total number of arrests in relation to the investigation to 18. Furthermore, the proceedings of Gazelle Hotel General Manager A.D are ongoing.
Notably, hotel owner Halit Ergül and General Manager Emir Aras were among those arrested in connection with the fire. Initial determinations from the prosecutor’s office point to the fire originating in the kitchen and escalating due to the absence of a sprinkler system. Additionally, the fire escape acted as a chimney, allowing smoke to spread to upper floors and poison the staircase.
A document revealed that the hotel operator had requested a “fire safety” report from the municipality in December 2024, but it was found that the report confirming the hotel’s safety against fire hazards was not issued by the Bolu Municipality Directorate of Fire Department.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunç responded to social media posts circulating a purported report on the incident, emphasizing the importance of accurate information and expert evaluations in such cases. He underscored the assignment of an expert delegation of academicians to assess the situation thoroughly.
As the investigation into the Grand Kartal Hotel fire progresses, authorities are working diligently to uncover the truth behind the tragic incident and hold responsible parties accountable for the devastating consequences.
