Related: Big fire breaks out at Istanbul airport: TV

    ANKARA, May 24 (Xinhua) -- A big fire that broke out Wednesday at the international Ataturk airport just outside the Turkish city of Istanbul has been contained and three people were injured.

A big fire breaks out at the international Ataturk airport just outside the Turkish city of Istanbul, May 24, 2006. Thick black smoke is billowing from the airport, hotels near the airport. (Photo: Xinhua/ Reuters)

    The semi-official Anatolia news agency quoted Turkish Transportation Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Baris Tozar as saying that the fire had been contained and that there were no problems concerning flight security.

    "The firefighters of the State Airports Administration (DHMI)and the Civil Aviation are working to put out the fire. We are taking measures to prevent it from spreading to the passenger terminals," he added.

    The fire started at the C terminal in the cargo section of the airport at around 3:30 p.m. local time (1230 GMT).

    Thick black smoke was billowing from the airport, hotels near the airport came under threat from the massive fire and firefighters were launching a massive operation to stem out the flames, according to footage aired by the private NTV.

    Ambulances rushed to the scene and three people were injured, according to the TV.

    The TV report cited airport officials as saying that passengers at nearby terminals were being evacuated.

    Meanwhile, DHMI official Mahmut Tekin was quoted by Anatolia as saying that the cause of the fire was still unclear and DHMI Director in Istanbul Irfan Balta said that the fire did not hamper air traffic at the airport.

    Unconfirmed reports said that the authorities did not suspect of any foul play at present and that the fire might just be an accident.

    Some reports said that an electricity short circuit in the cargo section where international freight was stored might lead to the fire.

    The incident took place at a busy tourism season in Istanbul when the international airport handles many flights daily. Enditem