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Panama fires: Legislator seeks probe into possible 'inside job' in San Felipe
🇵🇦 Panama /Disasters & Emergencies

Panama fires: Legislator seeks probe into possible 'inside job' in San Felipe

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A Panamanian legislator is calling for an investigation into a series of fires in San Felipe, suggesting a possible "inside job."
  • Four fires have occurred in the legislator's circuit in recent weeks, raising concerns about the Fire Department's response capacity.
  • The fires have destroyed historic buildings and commercial properties, displacing residents.

A series of fires in the San Felipe area has prompted a Panamanian legislator to call for a thorough investigation, including the possibility of arson. Deputy José Pérez Barboni, representing circuit 8-3, expressed concern over the frequency of the blazes and questioned the response capabilities of the Fire Department.

"Four fires in a span of weeks, of days, is not normal and is not a coincidence. That has demonstrated the shortcomings of our Fire Department in being able to attend to different situations due to lack of resources, lack of equipment, and lack of personnel," Pérez Barboni stated. He pointed to multiple fires in his circuit, including two in San Felipe, one in Santa Ana, and another in Dos Mares, occurring within a short period.

Four fires in a span of weeks, of days, is not normal and is not a coincidence. That has demonstrated the shortcomings of our Fire Department in being able to attend to different situations due to lack of resources, lack of equipment, and lack of personnel.

— José Pérez BarboniThe legislator expressed his concern about the frequency of fires in his circuit and the Fire Department's ability to respond.

The most recent fire in San Felipe, which began Wednesday evening, spread significantly and took firefighters considerable time to control due to the area's topography and traffic. According to the Fire Department, the blaze completely consumed four historic buildings and a commercial establishment. Pérez Barboni noted that a previous fire on June 28 in Calle 12 of San Felipe left many residents, including the elderly and children, displaced.

Here there is an inside job, and the number of incidents we have seen in circuit 8-3 must definitely be clarified.

— José Pérez BarboniPérez Barboni suggested that the pattern of fires might not be coincidental and called for clarification.

While previous fires have been attributed to electrical faults in aging buildings, Pérez Barboni believes the recent pattern suggests more than mere coincidence. "Here there is an inside job, and the number of incidents we have seen in circuit 8-3 must definitely be clarified," he asserted. He urged authorities to conduct thorough investigations and implement preventive inspections for deteriorating buildings that pose a risk to occupants and surrounding communities.

Pérez Barboni emphasized the need for proactive measures beyond just responding to emergencies once they are out of control. "Thank God, today we are not mourning victims. Thank God, today we are not mourning injured people, we are mourning material damage," he said, highlighting the significant property losses.

Thank God, today we are not mourning victims. Thank God, today we are not mourning injured people, we are mourning material damage.

— José Pérez BarboniThe legislator acknowledged the lack of casualties but lamented the significant material losses caused by the fires.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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