Chances to escape from Almaty hostel fire were slim – emergencies minister

Cause of the Almaty hostel fire is yet to be determined, Kazakh Emergencies Minister Syrym Sharipkhanov said Thursday, Kazinform News Agency reports.

During a press conference after the fatal fire had broken out at a hostel in Almaty, Minister Sharipkhanov said 13 bodies had been found in the basement were the hostel was located.

In his words, dense smoke hampered the firefighting and search efforts. The fire allegedly started in a stack of matrasses piled in the corridor of the basement.

Minister Sharipkhanov told the press conference that chances of escape from the fire were slim.

However, according to him, firefighters managed to save lives of dozens of hostel guests. They also quickly contained and put out the fire that engulfed the pile of matrasses.

Recall that the hostel fire in Almaty claimed lives of 13 people earlier this morning. Of 13 deceased hostel guests, 2 were Russian and 2 more were Uzbek nationals. The criminal investigation has been launched.