Fire breaks out at unfinished Erbil tower, leaving six people with breathing difficulties

ERBIL — A fire broke out Saturday in an unfinished residential tower in Erbil, leaving six people suffering from breathing difficulties, according to Civil Defense spokesperson Shakhawan Saeed.

The fire erupted on the upper floors of the Cavalli Tower, affecting levels 27, 28, and 29. Civil defense teams managed to contain the fire after more than an hour and later cooled the site, Saeed told 964media.

He said more than six firefighting teams responded but initially struggled due to the building’s height. Smoke was visible from a considerable distance.

The exact cause remains under investigation.

Six people were treated for breathing problems at Erbil’s Western Hospital. Saeed said none of the civil defense personnel were injured, crediting the protective gear they wore.

Between January and October 2024, Erbil’s Civil Defense Directorate recorded 2,057 fire incidents, with dry vegetation being the leading cause, responsible for 842 cases. Fires during that period resulted in 46 deaths — 22 from burns and 24 from suffocation — and injured 89 people. Civil defense teams also rescued 56 individuals and 11 vehicles.