Major Fire at Bolivia's Barrio Lindo Fair Contained After 36 Hours

After an intense 36-hour effort, firefighters have successfully brought a massive fire at the Barrio Lindo fair in Bolivia under control. The blaze ravaged the main warehouse, which housed an estimated 10,000 vendor stalls, causing significant destruction.

Jorge Santistevan, Secretary of Citizen Security for the Governorate, announced the fire's containment late Friday. He emphasized that while the flames have been extinguished, the recovery phase presents new challenges. "Now we are entering a more complicated phase, which is the recovery of the land where a large part of the structure has collapsed. Although the fire is extinguished, this area is not yet cleared," Santistevan stated, highlighting that delicate work is ongoing.

City officials reported that their efforts successfully protected 45% of the endangered sector. The coordinated response involved multiple institutions working tirelessly over the 36 hours. However, the structural integrity of the affected area is still under assessment by the Mayor's office, meaning the site remains inaccessible.

In response to the disaster, the directory of the El Tiluchi commercial center, located opposite the affected module, has issued a directive to its affiliates. They will not open their doors for three consecutive market days, August 8, 12, and 15, with fines imposed for non-compliance. The directory will convene an extraordinary meeting to discuss further safety measures.

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Now we are entering a more complicated phase, which is the recovery of the land where a large part of the structure has collapsed. Although the fire is extinguished, this area is not yet cleared.