DistantNews
Support us
San Felipe Fire: Firefighters point to possible electrical fault as origin of blaze
🇵🇦 Panama /Disasters & Emergencies

San Felipe Fire: Firefighters point to possible electrical fault as origin of blaze

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • Firefighters in Panama are investigating a blaze that destroyed two buildings and a business in San Felipe, leaving approximately 50 people homeless.
  • Preliminary findings suggest a possible electrical fault in the old structures may have caused the fire, though the investigation is ongoing.
  • The fire department emphasized its role is to determine the origin and cause, not assign responsibility, and urged increased prevention measures for old buildings.

An investigation is underway into the cause of a fire that ravaged two old buildings and a commercial establishment in Panama's San Felipe neighborhood, displacing around 50 residents. While the official cause remains undetermined, preliminary findings from the Fire Department point towards a potential electrical malfunction.

The Fire Department does not determine who was responsible. It only looks at two important aspects: possible point of origin and possible cause. At this moment, telling you what the specific cause or point of origin was, we cannot do it because it is under investigation.

— Víctor ÁlvarezVíctor Álvarez, Director General of the Fire Department, explained the scope of their investigation into the San Felipe fire.

Víctor Álvarez, Director General of the Fire Department, clarified that their role is limited to identifying the potential origin and cause of the fire, not assigning blame. He explained that definitive conclusions require scientific testing, expert analysis, and witness testimonies. However, current evidence suggests issues with the electrical systems of the aging structures.

"What points to, it is not definitive, that there could be electrical issues with the electrical connection, remembering that these are very old infrastructures or structures," Álvarez stated. The Fire Department reiterated its call for enhanced safety measures in older buildings, particularly those with potentially outdated electrical installations that lack adequate maintenance.

Many times, scientific tests, expert reports, and summoning people to hear their statements are required to then, based on that, make a determination.

— Víctor ÁlvarezVíctor Álvarez described the process required to definitively determine the cause of the fire.

The announcement of these preliminary findings coincided with the upcoming International Congress of Firefighter Strategy and Security, scheduled to begin July 7 in Panama. The event will gather international representatives to share experiences and improve emergency response capabilities. This fire was one of four that occurred in the past week, with three concentrated in the San Felipe district.

What points to, it is not definitive, that there could be electrical issues with the electrical connection, remembering that these are very old infrastructures or structures.

— Víctor ÁlvarezVíctor Álvarez shared the preliminary findings regarding the potential cause of the fire.
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.

More Stories

From Our Blog