Boy and elderly woman are the fatalities of the voracious fire that engulfs over 25 homes in Chocó

Quibdó, the capital of Colombia's Chocó department, is grappling with profound grief following a devastating fire that ravaged the Pablo Sexto neighborhood on Friday, July 10, 2026. The conflagration reduced more than 25 homes to ashes, leaving numerous families without their possessions and plunging the community into mourning.

The tragic incident resulted in the loss of two lives: 6-year-old Yeison Smith Moreno and 78-year-old María Plácida Palacios. Their deaths have cast a somber shadow over the city, particularly given the vulnerability of the victims. The scale of the destruction necessitated a full mobilization of the city's fire department units, with support also coming from the airport's fire truck.

While investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire, authorities are assessing the extensive damage. In the wake of the disaster, citizens have launched multiple humanitarian campaigns to provide solidarity and support to the hundreds of residents left homeless.

Structural fires like this can stem from various causes, including the improper use of flammable liquids, accumulation of waste, poorly extinguished cigarettes, faulty electrical installations, gas leaks, defective heating equipment, or the mishandling of matches by children. The community now faces the daunting task of recovery and rebuilding.