A strong explosion destroyed several homes in Neiva and left a fatal toll.
An explosion in a home in the Las Acacias neighborhood, where an illegal powder store allegedly operated, left one dead, four injured and more than 15 houses affected. The authorities are investigating the causes.
a loud explosion shook the tranquility of the Las Acacias neighborhood, in the south of Neivathis Tuesday morning, leaving one person dead, four injured and considerable material damage. According to the relief agencies, the emergency originated in a house where, apparently, a clandestine powder shop operated.
The noise was heard in several surrounding areas and caused panic among the residents.who ran from their homes amid the dust and debris. “It was like a bomb. The windows broke, the roof rose and the children were screaming in the street,” Fanny Vargas, one of the affected neighbors, told La FM.
According to the report of the Official Fire Department of Neiva, The explosion caused damage to at least 19 homes. Four of them were partially affected, while one was declared a total loss. Several emergency units worked at the scene to treat the injured and carry out debris removal.
Sergeant William Bernal, operational commander of the firefighters, He explained that the first inspections point to irregular handling of gunpowder within the property. “We are carrying out investigations and analysis of the affected area to be able to determine with certainty the origin of the event. We do not rule out that it was an illegal activity of manufacturing or storing pyrotechnic material,” he said.
The fatal victim was identified as Luis Armando Herrera, 44 years old.who would have been inside the house at the time of the explosion. His body was found among the remains of the structure and later lifted by CTI units of the Prosecutor’s Office.
Four other people were injured, including a woman and a minor.who were transferred to different healthcare centers in the city, where they receive medical attention.
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The shock wave affected not only nearby homes, but also the sector’s electrical system.which forced the power service to be temporarily suspended while the area was secured.
Local authorities called on the community to avoid storing gunpowder in residential spaces, remembering that this type of materials are highly flammable and should be handled only by authorized personnel.
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The mayor of Neiva announced that support will be provided to the families affected by the explosionwhile the Attorney General’s Office and the Fire Department advance the investigation to clarify the causes of the incident and determine if there were criminal responsibilities for the alleged operation of an illegal powder shop in the Las Acacias neighborhood.
Source: Integrated Information System
