Woman dies from smoke inhalation after apartment fire in Penji Hesarok

ERBIL — A 29-year-old accountant died Wednesday evening from injuries and severe smoke inhalation sustained in an apartment fire in Erbil’s Penji Hesarok neighborhood, civil defense officials said.

The fire broke out on the night of Feb. 9 in a residential apartment in Penji Hesarok. The woman was rescued from the flames and transported to a hospital, but she later succumbed to her injuries.

“After pulling the woman from the smoke, our emergency teams provided assistance and transferred her to the hospital for treatment. However, her condition was critical, and we were informed that she passed away due to the severe smoke inhalation,” Erbil Civil Defense spokesperson Shakhawan Saeed told 964media.

In addition to the tragic loss, Erbil Civil Defense reported that from January to October 2024, officials recorded 2,057 fire incidents. Dried grass and shrubs were the leading cause in 842 cases. These fires resulted in 46 fatalities — 22 from burns and 24 from suffocation — and injured 89 people. During these emergencies, civil defense teams rescued 56 individuals and 11 vehicles.