ANKARA – Turkish authorities evacuated scores of buildings in the Aegean resort of Izmir on Friday as a forest fire touched residential districts of the city.
The fire started Thursday and was pushed towards Turkey’s third largest city by winds blowing at 50 kilometres (30 miles) an hour.
The strong winds prevented the use of water-bombing aircraft, NTV television reported.
Fire brigade reinforcements were sent from other cities and the military has also been mobilised.
Thick smoke turned the sky orange and grey on Friday, according to images shown by Turkish media. – AFP