The nightclub Masquerade in Gayrettepe, Beşiktaş caught on fire on April 2nd, 2024. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, although it is assumed by many that the fire was due to the current construction in the nightclub. 29 people have died and 1 other person has been injured.
The club was in the basement of a 16-story building, a building which has been described as “old” by Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu. The club’s permit was originally issued in 1987, and was renewed in 2018.
The cause remains unknown, though the Governor of Istanbul, Davut Gül, has stated that the fire happened due to the renovation constructions in the club. Firefighters have informed authorities that there were loose styrofoam and fiber pieces around the club that were to be used for soundproofing. It is believed that these materials may have been lit on fire due to an explosion. Some have said that a gas explosion occurred near 12:47, while other sources remain irresolute on the cause. On the other hand, it has been found that 4 different people associated with the nightclub have criminal records, with some even having records of intentional injury or sexual assault. These 4 people, along with different people responsible for the nightclub, have been taken into custody. The investigation is still ongoing, although Ekrem Imamoğlu has stated that the fire won’t be causing any more damage and that the situation is still being examined. He has additionally said that the construction materials were disorganized, hence supporting the idea that the fire started due to a construction error.
More questioning and investigating are to be done, but authorities have a general idea of the primary suspects and possible causes. The fire has sparked a lot of conversation online, and the causes are being debated. The reality surrounding the situation remains mostly mysterious, and a lot of important information still remains unknown, though the search for more knowledge is ongoing.
Works Cited
DHA, Derya EVREN KORKMAZ/Zeki GÜNAL/İSTANBUL. “Son Dakika Haberi: İstanbul
Gayrettepe’De Yangın Faciası! Ünlü Gece Kulübü Yangınında 29 Kişi Hayatını Kaybetti... 8 Kişi Gözaltına Alındı.” Hürriyet Ana Sayfa
“İstanbul’Da Yangın: Beşiktaş Gayrettepe’De Masquerade Adlı Gece Kulübünde Çıkan Yangında 29 Kişi Hayatını Kaybetti.” BBC News Türkçe, BBC
Ntv. “İstanbul Beşiktaş’ta Yangın Faciası: 29 Ölü.” Ntv.Com.Tr, NTV, 2 Apr. 2024