He claimed the event space had one fire extinguisher that ‘didn’t work.’ The Media Line quoted escapee Nirvan: “The fire was sudden, and rapidly consumed the ceiling almost completely.
My wife was hurt in the rush. Civil Defense came nearly 30 minutes late and couldn’t manage all the injured.
Although the newlyweds escaped via a kitchen door, many of their loved ones died in the fire. The disaster killed 10 relatives, including Bride Haneen’s mother and brother. Also critically ill was her father.
The Civil Defence Directorate warned the Iraqi News Agency that the banquet hall’s composite panels were extremely combustible, violating safety requirements.
The directorate told The Independent: “The fire led to the collapse of parts of the hall as a result of the use of highly flammable, low-cost building materials that collapse within minutes when the fire breaks out.”
