Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — Shoppers were evacuated from a Chedraui in Plaza las Americas Monday due to an electrical fire. The store was emptied of shoppers and staff by police who were at the scene in response to the 9-1-1 report of a store filled with smoke.
Civil Protection and Solidaridad firemen arrived to deal with the electrical fire that started in a breaker box. The overloaded box, which was located in the back bakery area of the store, overheated and caught fire, filling the store with smoke.
According to Solidaridad City Hall, more than 160 people were evacuated. “Rapid and efficient response by the Civil Protection, Risk Prevention and Fire Department of Solidaridad to a short circuit in Plaza Las Américas.
“The emergency services managed to evacuate more than 160 people after a fire in the bakery area of Chedraui, with no serious injuries. The incident was controlled and the store continues to operate, except in the affected area, which will remain closed for repairs,” Solidaridad City Hall said in a statement.
It was around 9:00 a.m. when authorities were made aware of the situation. The Secretaría de Protección Civil, Prevención de Riesgos y Bomberos del Municipio de Solidaridad said three fire extinguishers were used to put out the short circuit. The electrical box fire happened next to an LP gas line that feeds the bakery’s ovens.
“We responded to a report from the C5 of a short circuit in the bakery area of the Chedraui store in Plaza las Américas. Three fire extinguishers were used to control the fire and the people present in the building were evacuated.
“Fortunately, there were no injuries. Our paramedics provided first aid to those who suffered stress,” the Secretary of Civil Protection and Firefighters of Solidaridad posted on social media.
