The issue of eliminating the consequences of the fire in Almaty Akkent residential complex was considered on Saturday, August 5, at the meeting chaired by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov. 

The Prime Minister reminded that as a result of the fire in a high-rise building affected 42 people, and on behalf of the Government expressed condolences to relatives and friends of the dead woman.

Minister for Emergency Situations Syrym Sharipkhanov reported that after receiving a signal about smoke in the entrance of a 16-storey building, two units were immediately dispatched to the site of the fire. Despite the rush hour and city traffic jams, the first firefighters arrived in 8 minutes. Within 30 minutes, 15 units of equipment and 75 personnel were concentrated on the site. 

Firefighters rescued 80 people, including 35 with the help of rescue hoods. In general, work on extinguishing the fire was completed in an hour and a half. As of August 4, 5 people remain hospitalized in medical institutions.

The Minister added that the actions of firefighting officers were complicated due to a number of factors. Thus, the passage inside the courtyard area for firefighting equipment was hampered by parked cars. In addition, the available emergency hatches on the balconies, intended for emergency evacuation, were closed or welded shut.

A number of expert examinations have been appointed to determine the causes of the fire. Upon completion of the investigation, appropriate procedural decisions will be taken.

Deputy Akim of Almaty Askar Amrin told about the progress of work on the restoration of the apartment building. In particular, repairs will be made to the entrances and affected apartments. Reimbursement of expenses on temporary accommodation of residents (rent) is also provided. 

Prime Minister noted the need to actualize measures to ensure fire safety in multi-storey buildings, as well as to intensify the work of housing inspections.

"The Ministry for Emergency Situations within the framework of the ongoing exercises needs to take measures to increase the level of preparedness of the population to act in case of fire," he pointed out. 

Prime Minister also noted that in preparing the infrastructure of residential neighborhoods and their improvement in all regions it is necessary to take into account the passage of emergency services, as in the case of the Akkent housing estate parked cars and high curbs hindered fire-fighting equipment. 

In conclusion, Alikhan Smailov instructed to speed up reconstruction works for the residents to return home as soon as possible, to conduct an audit of new multi-storey buildings for compliance with fire safety requirements, as well as to take into account the need for special equipment to work in high-rise buildings during the annual renewal of equipment in the MES units across the country.

#Alikhan Smailov #The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan #Ministry for Emergency Situation