Fire at flea market in Almaty

Zhana Kulager, Aral and Eurasia sections of the Almaty flea market were on fire on November 17. The fire started during the night, presumably at 3 a.m., but was stopped from spreading only hours later at 11:08 a.m. and completely extinguished by midnight.The total area of the fire made 3800 square meters. Six people were arrested by the police during the fire at the flea market in Almaty. They were caught stealing while everyone was distracted by the fire.

The fire at the flea market in Almaty. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

300 firefighters and 41 fire engines were involved in the firefighting operation and emergency rescue works of the Emergency Situations Department of Almaty. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Some of the traders tried to save their goods. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Zhana Kulager, Aral and Eurasia sections of the Almaty flea market were on fire. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

A KA-32 helicopter of KazAviaSpas emergency service helped extinguish the fire, making a total of 49 water discharges of 3 tons each. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

The fire was stopped from spreading at 11:08 a.m. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

The law enforcement authorities had to prevent people from approaching the containers on fire. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

A row at Kulager section. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

Burnt container with goods. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

The back side of the flea market. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

Traders evacuating undamaged goods. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

A container on fire. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

Destroyed containers. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

The traders tried to help extinguish the fire. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

Damaged goods. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Traders sorting the rescued goods. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Some of the traders were arguing over the goods. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Traders were guarding the goods they saved from the fire. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

The fire was completely extinguished by midnight of November 17-18. ©Vladimir Prokopenko