Three massive fires erupt in Cali, Colombia, causing panic near a school

Cali, Colombia, is grappling with three major fires erupting simultaneously across different parts of the city, creating scenes of panic for residents. The emergencies, which began on the afternoon of July 22, are being addressed by the District Risk Management System in coordination with the Cali Volunteer Fire Department.

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At this hour, the District Risk Management System is active and coordinated, through the Fire Department, to simultaneously address three emergencies occurring in the city: structural fire behind the Las Aguas school, in the Montebello corregimiento, in the hillside area. The second is the structural fire in the Porvenir neighborhood, between the center and east of Cali, and the third, a forest fire in the Bonanza sector.

One of the most concerning incidents is a structural fire occurring behind the Las Aguas school in the Montebello corregimiento, located on the city's western slopes. Another significant structural fire is raging in the Porvenir neighborhood, situated between the city's center and eastern districts. A third blaze, a forest fire, is active in the Bonanza sector.

The Alcaldía (Mayor's Office) of Cali has confirmed that firefighting units are deployed to all three locations. For the Montebello and Bonanza fires, two fire engines with eight firefighters, a water tanker with two additional firefighters, and an ambulance with two paramedics are engaged. The Porvenir fire is receiving a larger response, with five fire engines carrying 20 firefighters, an aerial ladder truck with two more personnel, a water tanker with two volunteers, two ambulances with two paramedics, and four logistics vehicles with four rescuers.

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The units of the Cali Volunteer Fire Department are already at each of the points carrying out control work, with the accompaniment of the entities that make up the District Risk Management System.

Authorities are working to ascertain the full extent of the damage caused by these fires and to determine if there have been any injuries or fatalities. The Alcaldía has urged the public to rely solely on official channels for information regarding the ongoing emergencies and has stated that official updates will be provided as the situation develops.

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For the moment, the emergencies are being attended to and official information will be provided in case of any developments. We appreciate disseminating only the information issued by official channels.