A Stonehaven family recounts their terrifying experience during a hotel fire in Turkey.
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Unexpected chaos during a dream vacation
In a shocking turn of events, a family from Stonehaven found their dream holiday in Marmaris, Turkey, transformed into a nightmare when a fire broke out in their hotel. Julie Dickson, 41, her husband John, 43, and their 14-year-old son Conner were enjoying a week-long all-inclusive stay at the Grand Yazici Club Marmaris Palace when disaster struck on the morning of April 4.
Fire alarm failure and panic ensues
Julie recounted the harrowing experience, stating that they were abruptly awakened at 5 a.m. by loud banging on their hotel room door. As she opened the door, she was met with a scene of chaos, with fellow guests rushing past in panic.
The smell of smoke was immediate and alarming, described by Julie as reminiscent of diesel. Despite the absence of visible flames, the thick smoke filled the hallway, causing widespread fear among the guests.
“Everyone was terrified,” Julie recalled. “There were older people shaking, trying to get down the unlit spiral staircase.” The lack of communication from hotel staff, many of whom spoke little English, exacerbated the situation. Guests were informed later that an electrical fault in the plant room above their floor had caused the smoke to infiltrate through the air conditioning system.
Evacuation and medical emergency
The evacuation was described by Julie as “pure pandemonium.” After managing to escape the hotel, the family faced another crisis as Conner, who is a Type 1 diabetic, began experiencing hypoglycemia while waiting outside. “We didn’t have any of his medication with us,” Julie explained, highlighting the urgency of their situation. Fortunately, they were able to find some sweets that Conner had given to a friend the night before, which helped stabilize his condition.
After two hours of uncertainty, all guests were evacuated, with reports indicating that 11 individuals were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. The Dickson family, along with other guests, were relocated to alternative accommodations as Jet2holidays worked to assist those affected by the incident.
Lasting effects and compensation claims
Upon returning to their room, the family discovered their belongings covered in soot, a stark reminder of the traumatic experience. Julie expressed her distress, stating that the ordeal has left her feeling anxious and on edge since returning home. “I have freaked out at silly things,” she admitted, revealing how the experience has impacted her daily life.
In light of the incident, Julie is seeking compensation from Jet2holidays, but she described their initial offer of £90 as “absolutely unacceptable.” A spokesperson for Jet2holidays confirmed the evacuation and stated that they are in contact with the Dickson family while investigations into the incident are ongoing.
