A devastating fire tore through a retail store in Sonora, Mexico, on Saturday, tragically claiming the lives of at least 23 individuals, according to the state’s governor.
The inferno erupted in downtown Hermosillo, the capital of Sonora State. Governor Alfonso Durazo officially confirmed the heartbreaking death toll via a video shared on his official social media. He also reported that 11 people sustained injuries, and critically, minors were among those who perished. Local news outlets have identified the affected establishment as a branch of Waldo’s, a prominent discount store chain across Mexico.
In response to the tragedy, Governor Durazo has promptly ordered a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the blaze.
Meanwhile, the state’s Public Security department released a statement, explicitly ruling out any possibility of the fire being a deliberate attack.
This incident brings back somber memories of a 2009 day care center fire in Hermosillo that killed 49 children, sparking widespread national outrage. Subsequent investigations into that catastrophe revealed that critical factors such as sealed emergency exits, the presence of highly flammable materials, and a complete absence of fire alarms and sprinklers significantly contributed to the horrific loss of life.
Following the 2009 day care tragedy, more than 20 individuals were convicted on various charges, including negligence and homicide. These convictions implicated both the facility’s owners and several officials at municipal, state, and federal levels, highlighting systemic failures.
Additional reporting by Andrés R. Martínez.