PM Barzani instructs relevant government institutions to assist Soran fire victims

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Friday night called Halgurd Sheikh Najib, the Supervisor of the Soran Independent Administration, and ordered an immediate investigation into the tragic fire incident in the Soran district.

The Premier conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and directed the supervisor of the Soran administration and the relevant government institutions to provide assistance as soon as possible.

Moreover, the Prime Minister instructed them to carry out a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire, as well as to follow up on safety measures in public and private buildings.

14 people died after a fire broke out in a building in the Soran district on Friday night.

Building codes in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq have frequently come under scrutiny for their poor fire hazard reputation. 

Most recently, a wedding hall in Hamdaniya was engulfed in flames on Sept. 26 after a firework mishap, resulting in more than 100 deaths and leaving 150 injured.

Poor electrical work, gas leaks and cigarette smoking are viewed as the main the culprits in Kurdistan Region fires.