September 8, 2022, 3:42 PM
September 8, 2022, 3:42 PM
The fire cannot be controlled in El Torno, worse still with the strong winds that have been recorded since Wednesday. Between six and eight homes in district 2 of said municipality were consumed by the flames. In addition, this Thursday morning, the students of the Quebrada León institute, located in the community of the same name, alerted the authorities that the fire had already entered their premises, so people had to evacuate as best they could, despite that the column of fire surrounded the place.
“LUnfortunately the fire has overtaken us, we can no longer control it; El Torno is in emergency due to the fires,” said the mayor of said municipality, Hedilberto Cuéllar.
The uncontrollable situation led a group of 40 motorcycle taxi drivers from El Torno to put aside their work to help fight the flames. They were also joined by volunteer firefighters and residents; however, despite the efforts, the flames got out of control and quickly consumed the mountains.
“We are about to declare ourselves a disaster due to the fires and the drought, the fire is uncontrollable,” said the mayor of El Torno, Hedilberto Cuellar.
Arnold Lucas, a missionary doctor who was a student at the Quebrada León institute, indicated that the students who were in the community began to ask for help on Wednesday night, since they saw that, from the mountains, the fire was approaching the premises of the institute and, it was on the morning of this Thursday that the flames reached the institute.
“The institute prepares missionary doctors, there were people trapped there and they were looking for a way to evacuate. Help is needed to fight the fire,” Lucas said.
But the fire is not only concentrated in these two areas of this institute, but also in the Villa Paraíso community, where the authorities had received a report that some people were trapped by the flames in an effort to save their animals.
The fire affects districts 7, 6, 5, 4 and 2 of the municipality of El Torno, moreover, It has already affected part of the Amboró Park, Therefore, they await the support of the national authorities so that the fires are fought not only by land, but also by air.
“Since August 19 we have been suffering from fires and drought, the situation has been aggravated by strong winds. It cannot be controlled, because it goes out on one side and then they report to us that it has already spread to another point,” said the mayor.
Due to the situation in the municipality, the authorities are preparing their declaration of disaster, hoping to receive more help from the departmental government and the national government. “The fire has overtaken us, we have around 68 soldiers working on the ground, 12 volunteer firefighters from the Government, volunteer team Cross, UBR and the municipality, in addition to the residents,” he specified.
The fire reached the premises of the Quebrada León institute.
Since August 19, fires have been registered in El Torno.
Residents joined the fight against the fires.
The fire affected some heads of cattle, remains found among the ashes.
Dense smoke makes visibility impossible.
