Fire in the historic Sincelejo area left losses of more than $ 2,000 million and let see failures of local firefighters

Sincelejo’s historic district was ravaged by a fire that caused losses exceeding $2 billion, exposing critical shortages in local firefighting resources, according to reports from local media. The blaze broke out in a warehouse housing goods belonging to a party supply business located in the city's central historic area. The incident occurred on July 27, 2026, around 2:38 p.m., and continued burning into the following day despite efforts to contain it. The fire originated on the second floor of the building, which stored items such as decorations, toys, birthday equipment, battery-powered cars, dolls, and foam board in large quantities. The flames quickly spread, prompting emergency responders to intervene. Four fire trucks from Sucre were deployed initially, but they faced challenges due to one vehicle being out of service. As a result, assistance was sought from neighboring municipalities including Corozal, Sampués, and Coveñas. These additional units played a crucial role in controlling the fire, though it took until the next day to fully extinguish all hotspots. Firefighters relied heavily on water tankers, known as carrotanques, supplied by the National Police, the municipal government, and one local firefighter. However, these refills had to be conducted at Veolia’s station, highlighting logistical difficulties. Despite the support, the fire managed to persist overnight, underscoring the strain on available resources. The situation revealed the limited capacity of Sincelejo’s fire department to handle large-scale emergencies effectively. Licett Méndez, director of the Sincelejo Fire Department, stated that the fire was exceptionally intense, fueled by highly flammable materials such as party supplies and foam board. She emphasized that the department activated its standard response protocols, involving volunteer firefighters as required. “It is a warning that we have activated,” she said, noting that the location received continuous attention throughout the operation. Following the incident, the City Council called for a report from the fire department regarding their performance during the event. Authorities expressed concerns over whether the municipality has sufficient resources to manage similar crises in the future. Currently, 12 fire departments operate within the Sucre region, but only 11 are functional. The department in Coveñas, part of the Gulf of Morrosquillo zone, benefits from better funding and thus operates more efficiently. In contrast, other departments, including Sincelejo’s, face significant limitations in terms of equipment, tools, vehicles, and advanced technology. Edgar Cárdenas, the regional fire department delegate, previously noted that many fire stations work with minimal resources, relying on determination rather than modern infrastructure. The active departments include those in Coveñas, Tolú, Toluviejo, two in Sincelejo (one voluntary and one official), Sampués, Corozal, San Marcos, Sincé, San Pedro, and Ovejas. Investigations into the cause of the fire suggest it may have been triggered by an electrical fault, although this has yet to be confirmed. The inquiry is ongoing, and further details are expected as authorities continue their assessment. The incident has sparked discussions about the need for improved emergency services and resource allocation in Sincelejo.