01 JUL 2010

Seven British tourists have been injured in a fire in the Club Anastasia hotel in Marmaris, Turkey.

The fire, believed to have been started when a boiler exploded, happened last night.

According to press agency reports, some guests had to be evacuated from balconies and were slightly injured by broken glass.

Some also suffered from smoke inhalation.

An investigation has been launched to establish the exact cause of the fire.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said the tourists were recovering in hospital after the incident on June 29. They were injured by broken glass as they fled the building, but none of them are thought to be seriously hurt.

Staff from the British Consulate in Marmaris have travelled to the hotel to provide assistance.

An investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched, although reports suggest the blaze began when a boiler in the hotel's sauna exploded.

Some of the other Brits staying at the hotel were travelling with First Choice. None of the operator's guests were injured, and they have now been moved to alternative accommodation.

A First Choice spokeswoman said: "The safety of our customers is of paramount importance, and we would like to reassure all customers that the incident will be fully investigated by our health and safety team."

Family flees from Turkish hotel fire

A MOTHER today described how she and her family fled to safety after a blaze broke out at their Turkish holiday resort.

Maxine Reeves, 35-year-old partner Mark Preston and their two children were part way through a two-week break in Marmaris when a fire started at the Anastacia Club resort on Monday night.

Maxine, aged 34, and 11-year-old son Christian were two of the seven Britons who received hospital treatment as a result of the blaze. They were treated for glass in their feet but have since been discharged.

The family, from Tunstall, have told how they were getting ready for bed when they heard the sound of smashing glass as staff began evacuating the hotel.

Maxine, aged 34, said: "When we heard the glass we opened the bedroom door and someone was saying 'Fire, fire, get out now'."

"The corridors were full of smoke. It was so bad you couldn't see your hand in front of your face."

She added: "People had to smash their way through the fire doors to get out, walking through all the glass."

Last night the family was waiting to be transferred to another hotel until they fly home on Sunday.

Maxine, whose nine-year-old daughter Emily is also on the trip, added: "It still doesn't seem real.

"The fire alarms didn't seem to be going off. If it had been any later we would have been asleep and probably dead now."

Maxine rang her family in Stone to let them know about the incident yesterday morning.

Her mum, Pamela Reeves, aged 58, of The Fillybrooks, said: "I got a phone call around 6.30am and I was so shocked.

"I feel really sorry for them, they had been looking forward to this holiday and then this had to happen."

Maxine's sister, 29-year-old cafe worker Nicola Reeves, of Princes Street, added: "When mum rang I was really worried but I know Maxine is strong-minded and will cope."

The fire is reported to have started when a boiler in the hotel's sauna exploded.

A spokesman for First Choice, the firm the family booked the holiday with, said: "The cause of the fire is still being determined and all guests affected have been moved to alternative accommodation."