Fire in Acapulco’s Mercado Central devastates 570 commercial premises

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A strong fire that started during the early hours of Monday, June 5th, devastated 570 commercial premises that are part of the Central Market of Acapulco. So far the origin of the incident is unknown but it is not ruled out that it was caused by organized crime.

According to the authorities, the incident began around 1:30 a.m. on Monday, June 5th, in an area of semi-permanent stands that are located in a parking lot on 2 de Agosto Street. The fire spread rapidly to other areas of the Central Market located along Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, Feliciano Radilla, and Constituyentes Streets, covering an area of more than 11,000 square meters.

Due to the magnitude of the fire, it was necessary for the participation of Civil Protection elements from both the Navy and the Army, local and state firefighters, and even a dozen private water tankers that responded to the alert issued by the authorities to supply water to the various emergency teams that were fighting to control the situation.

In a press conference, the Secretary of State Public Security, Evelio Méndez, assured that the causes that originated the accident are unknown, but he announced that an exhaustive expert investigation will be carried out to determine the cause. However, various merchants who were affected did not hesitate to point out that organized crime is behind the events.

According to what they commented, during the last weeks, they had been receiving threats to force them to protest the presence of the Federal Forces that carry out surveillance in the market and to demand both the payment of the quota and the right of residence.

The Morenista mayor, Abelina López Rodríguez, announced that the affected merchants will be supported with economic resources, but that a detailed census will first be carried out to know with certainty the name and surname of the owners of each of the burned premises.

At the scene of the events, more than 200 elements belonging to different emergency and security corporations of the municipality, state, Sedena, National Guard, and Secretary of the Navy were deployed, in addition to the civilian operators of private pipes, achieving that shortly after the At 8:30 in the morning, the fire was fully controlled without reporting injuries or victims to regret, but considerable material damage.

“Right now we have the place under control, but we also have to continue carrying out these works, until it is completely left as of origin, it is recommended, we ask citizens not to approach the area; We ask you in the most attentive and responsible way not to come near the place,” Abelina López Rodríguez concluded.

Source: El Financiero

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