Thick black smoke from fire in central Almaty alarms residents

Tengrinews.kz - Thick black smoke from a fire in central Almaty caused concern among residents.

Videos circulating on social media show heavy black smoke rising in the area near Aitiev and Tole Bi streets.

"Something exploded, there was a shock wave," eyewitnesses reported.

According to the Department of Emergency Situations (DES) of Almaty, reports started coming in around midday on July 24 about a vehicle engulfed in flames on Aitiev Street, near house number 94.

"Two firefighting units and 12 personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene. Despite traffic congestion, they arrived at 2:46 p.m. A Hyundai cargo truck was burning with open flames across an area of 6 square meters. The fire was extinguished within six minutes," the DES said.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Previously, on July 22, a three-story hotel in central Astana caught fire.