Paraguay: More than 30 houses destroyed by fire

At least thirty precarious homes were razed this Sunday (08/25/2024) by a fire that broke out in a poor neighborhood of Asunción, located on the banks of the Paraguay River, and that left no injuries but did cause considerable material damage, reported sources from volunteer firefighters, locals and municipal authorities.

The flames, whose origin is still unknown, affected residents of the Ricardo Brugada neighborhood, known as La Chacarita, located near numerous public institutions in the capital and facing Costanera Avenue, which borders the river.

“We have no reports of injuries,” Ray Mendoza, the deputy national commander of the Paraguayan Volunteer Fire Department (CBVP), told ABC television. Mendoza confirmed that units from the capital, the department of Central and other official institutions were dispatched to the scene.

Mendoza said that one person had to be taken to a medical center due to the smoke.

The official explained that the fire is “confined, not yet under control,” so they are working to cool down different areas.

Consulted by EFE, Mendoza indicated that 37 homes were affected.

However, one of the residents, who identified herself as Divina Romero, indicated that 39 houses were affected.

“One house caught fire and 39 other houses caught fire,” lamented this woman, who said she has lived in the area since 2018, where they were moved after a river flood, and complained that since then their relocation has not been approved.

Local residents told C9N that the flames spread rapidly among the houses, mostly made of wood and zinc sheets, due to the breeze in the area.

“My things burned, everything,” Adriana Moreno, 56, a resident of the area for eight years, told C9N in tears. She cried for help.

Another of those affected said that, in addition to the material damage, they lost their dog.

Following the emergency, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare reported on its X account that five ambulances were sent to the scene and three hospitals in the capital were put on alert.

Asked by journalists, the head of the cabinet of the Municipality of Asunción, Jorge Mora, anticipated that the first task of the authorities will be to protect those affected, mainly children and the elderly, on Sunday night.

He also said that starting Monday, August 26, they will work on cleaning the site and looking for a place to relocate those affected.

The director of Fire Prevention for the Municipality of Asunción, Alejandro Buzó, told EFE that the causes of the emergency include the possibility of an electrical problem due to an overload of consumption in the area or a possible fire started by a resident that spread.