Firefighters Battle Over 10-Hour Blaze at Santo Domingo Store; Looters Arrested

Firefighters are engaged in an intense, prolonged battle to extinguish a major fire that erupted at the L&R Comercial store on the Las Américas highway in Santo Domingo Este. The blaze, which started around 1 p.m. on Saturday, has raged for over 10 hours, consuming the establishment.

Crews are concentrating their efforts on the last pockets of fire, primarily confined to the warehouse section and beneath the roof, which succumbed to the flames earlier. A firefighter, speaking anonymously, cited challenging wind conditions and the store's coastal location as significant hindrances to their work.

The operation involves approximately 17 fire units and between 70 and 80 personnel from the Fire Department. They are receiving support from the National Police and emergency medical services. The Dominican Air Force deployed a rescue helicopter to drop water on the structure, aiding in control efforts.

As of Saturday evening, authorities had not reported any injuries or fatalities. The perimeter around the store remains cordoned off by police, who are urging the public to stay clear of the area. Once the fire is fully extinguished, technical investigators will commence their work to determine the cause of the incident.

In a separate development related to the fire, at least 17 people were arrested for allegedly looting merchandise from the store while it was engulfed in flames. The National Police announced the recovery of over 170 items, including appliances and other goods, and the seizure of a shotgun and a television monitor from one suspect. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend others involved in the looting.