Cancun, Q.R. — A fire on a second floor forced the evacuation of hundreds of people from a Cancun shopping mall Monday. Cancun emergency services rushed to the scene of the fire in SM 215 early Monday afternoon where the second floor was reported burning.
The fire happened inside Mi Plaza Héroes of Cancun around 1:00 p.m. along Chac Mool Avenue at the intersection with 20 de Noviembre Street.
Cancun Civil Protection reported being at the scene of the fire, confirming the safe evacuation of 302 people.
“We are currently responding to a fire on the second floor of a store located inside Plaza Héroes, in coordination with the Fire Department, Public Safety, and Traffic Police.
“A precautionary evacuation of 302 people from the plaza and a nearby establishment was carried out; no injuries were reported.
“We provided support to firefighters during the firefighting efforts. We continue working in a coordinated manner to safeguard the well-being of the public,” Protección Civil Cancún reported.
According to preliminary information, the fire started in the ceiling of an Optima clothing store located inside the mall. It was the thick column of smoke that first alerted mall employees.
By the time firemen arrived, the entire area was thick with smoke. They were able to quickly extinguish the burning second level of the store.
Civil Protection paramedics were on scene assisting the nearly one dozen firemen as they took turns battling the plaza fire. Two were reported treated on site for smoke inhalation.
In a briefing, Cancun Bomberos said “the fire at Mi Plaza Héroes has been brought under control thanks to the prompt response of our emergency teams.
“We are currently continuing cooling and removal operations to ensure safety in the area. We reiterate our call to remain attentive to official information.”
An official cause for the afternoon mall fire is still under investigation.
