Istanbul, Turkey—Rescue teams recovered multiple bodies on Monday following a massive fire that ripped through a residential building in Istanbul. The blaze broke out in the early morning hours, rapidly spreading through the stairwells and trapping residents in their apartments. Emergency services arrived on the scene with over 30 fire trucks to combat the inferno.

Witnesses reported thick black smoke billowing from the top floors of the structure within minutes of the first alarms. Firefighters utilized hydraulic ladders to reach occupants stranded on balconies, while others entered the building to conduct floor-by-floor searches. The intensity of the heat forced crews to rotate frequently to manage exhaustion.

Authorities confirmed that several victims were found in the upper-level hallways, having succumbed to smoke inhalation while attempting to evacuate. The exact death toll has not been finalized as search efforts in the basement and lower levels continue. Ambulances transported at least a dozen people to nearby hospitals for treatment of smoke inhalation and burns.

The Istanbul Fire Department noted that the blaze appeared to have started in the lower floors before moving upward through the ventilation shafts. A formal investigation into the cause of the fire has been opened by the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Experts in fire safety and electrical systems are expected to inspect the debris once the structure is cooled.

Questions regarding the building’s fire safety compliance have already been raised by local media. Preliminary reports suggest that the smoke detectors in the hallway were either inactive or absent. Residents of the area expressed frustration, citing recent concerns about maintenance standards in older apartment blocks throughout the city.

The neighborhood surrounding the building remains closed off to traffic as emergency vehicles and forensic units continue to operate. Local government representatives have promised to provide temporary housing for those displaced by the fire. The loss of life has prompted an urgent call for stricter inspections of older residential buildings.

Recovery operations will likely extend into the next day due to the structural instability of the fire-damaged floors. Safety officials are monitoring the integrity of the building’s walls to prevent a secondary collapse while search teams complete their work. The mood in the district is one of shock and mourning.

As of Monday evening, the fire has been completely extinguished, but the area remains under heavy guard. Officials are working to notify the families of the victims while coordinating with the hospital staff regarding the status of the injured. There is no timeline for when residents will be allowed back into the surrounding buildings.