A fire in Bucaramanga leaves losses of more than 50 million pesos

A major fire broke out at dawn on February 26 in a cardboard and plastic recycling center located in the Girardot district of Bucaramangaon Calle 31 with Carrera 7. Fortunately no one was injured, but the economic losses amount to 50 million pesos. A nearby body shop and paint shop were hit.

“It’s a fairly large warehouse where they recycle plastic baskets, bottles and different materials such as cardboard, plastic, boots, among others. 15 people work there and a van and a truck were also affected. The fire also affected an adjoining body and paint shop and affected three vehicles,” said Edgar Ochoa, Lt. Bucaramanga Fire Department.

To deal with the emergency, it was necessary to use a tank truck, three fire trucks and 18 fire units to cordon off the site. At the location where the fire broke out, plastic baskets, bottles and reusable materials were stored. “Usually, 15 people work on this site”, explained the firefighters.

“Some animals that were inside the workshops have also been rescued and we are already in the liquidation phase. The owner of the recycler is requesting an investigation into the causes of the fire, so we are going to the competent authority”, added Lt. Ochoa.

According to officials, the Attorney General of the Nation will investigate to determine the causes of the fire, taking into account that the owner of the recycler has requested a report from the authorities on the causes that caused the fire. “We are going to the corresponding authorities to carry out the investigation,” said the Bucaramanga firefighters.

This event is reminiscent of the fire that occurred last December, also in Bucaramanga, in which at least six people were injured after a shoe factory would be affected by the fire.

The fire was recorded in the northwest of the capital Santander. Although it was initially assumed to be a small fire, over the minutes it grew into a devastating blaze that terrified those at the scene.

At the bottom of the building, the flames were visible, a situation that prompted workers to try to intervene with fire extinguishers and other elements to mitigate their impact. Meanwhile, other people, in desperation, were trying to save work items and raw materials, mainly shoes.

Much of the workers proceeded to take off their shirts, as they sought to attend the emergency in the time it took firefighters to get to the point. Although this incident was previously brought under control, it was the rescue forces who began to evacuate the injured, since six people were directly affected.

According to part of Santander University HospitalDuring this incident, seven people suffered burns in different parts of the body, two of which were seriously affected. As soon as these people were removed from the company, they were rushed to the aforementioned clinical center for treatment by doctors.

Corroborating information from relief organizations, Santander University Hospital explained that seven people were affected, four of whom were treated quickly on an outpatient basis, while three of the injured had to be urgently referred to the burns center.

“There were seven people involved in the accident, they were all treated yesterday at the establishment which is a reference center for burns patients. Of the 7 people, 4 patients were treated on an outpatient basis because the severity of their burns did not require hospital treatment, furthermore, we have three patients who are currently in the burns department of the hospital,” the hospital report states.