Firefighters control blaze at L&R Comercial store warehouse

Firefighters in Santo Domingo Este, Dominican Republic, have brought a significant blaze at the L&R Comercial store under control after a seven-hour, uninterrupted effort. The fire, which affected the store's warehouse at the rear of the establishment along the Las Américas highway, is now in the extinguishing phase.

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The fire now is confined to the back. In the warehouse area it is confined and we are putting out the buried flames under the collapsed roof.

General Roberto Santos Méndez, head of the Santo Domingo Este Fire Department, reported that crews are working to put out flames that remain buried beneath the collapsed roof of the warehouse. Simultaneous operations are underway from the front, sides, and rear of the building. The fire department received the alert at 1:29 p.m., with initial units arriving approximately 10 minutes later and maintaining operations through continuous relays.

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We are now in the extinguishing phase. The investigation technicians will carry out the investigations to determine the possible causes.

Once the flames are fully extinguished, investigators will begin their work to determine the origin of the fire. As of now, no injuries or fatalities have been reported. The complexity of fighting the fire, particularly with flames hidden within debris from the collapsed roof, makes it difficult to estimate when it will be completely put out. The operation involves around 17 units and 70 to 80 firefighters, with support from the National System of Attention to Emergencies and Security 911 providing ambulances. A Dominican Air Force rescue helicopter has also joined, conducting aerial water drops.

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We are currently working with buried fire; it is an issue for which hours cannot be calculated due to the complexity of the extinguishing work.