In Almaty, a girl died and four other people were hospitalised after a fire broke out in the 13-storey residential complex (RC) Lamiya. Rescuers evacuated 148 people, including 9 children.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to the Department for Emergency Situations (DES) of the city of Almaty, a report of the fire came through to the “101” switchboard at 22:49. The first units arrived at the scene within 5 minutes.
By that time, cables were burning in the technical room and on the floors of the second entrance, as well as electrical switchboards from the 7th to the 13th floor of the first entrance. One of the casualties was found unconscious. Paramedics attempted resuscitation, but they were unable to save her.
The fire was contained at 23:57 and fully extinguished at 00:14. Around 90 DES staff and 25 units of equipment worked at the scene.
WHY THE CALL TO RESCUERS WAS DELAYED
The DES reported that the call came in late. According to preliminary information from residents, the automatic fire alarm had gone off approximately 1.5 hours before the firefighters were called.
It was also reported that a previous inspection had found violations of fire safety requirements in the residential complex.
WHAT ISSUES RESIDENTS HAD RAISED PREVIOUSLY
Back in October 2025, residents of RC Lamiya appealed to the Akim of Almaty, Darkhan Satybaldy, with questions about uninterrupted electricity supply and the transfer of engineering networks to the city’s balance sheet.
At the time, the Akim instructed the relevant departments, together with the OSI (body of co-owners) and the developer, to work on the construction of an additional transformer substation and a backup cable. Separately, he ordered a review of the activities of the previous management company.
WHAT SPECIALISTS WILL NEED TO ESTABLISH
Residents’ previous complaints about the electricity supply do not in themselves prove a link to the fire that occurred. The causes of the fire must be established by specialists.
Following the tragedy, questions remain about the condition of the electrical networks, the operation of the fire alarm system, the results of the previously conducted fire-technical inspection, and the implementation of the instructions issued.
