Fatima Alfaro / Quadratin
Morelia, Mich., May 21, 2023. – Focusing on the damage caused by the fire that occurred on Saturday, May 20, at the Independencia market, a complex for the sale of textiles and pottery, said Marco Antonio Garibe Gonzalez, director of the market.
Preliminary data indicated that around 25 locations were affected by the flames, outside the Mercado Independencia, adjacent to Ana MarÃa Galaga and Andres del RÃo streets.
Inside, as of 4am on Sunday 21 May, there was still no data on the extent of the damage.
Marco Antonio Garibe noted that preliminary reports from the Municipal Civil Protection and Fire Department indicated that the parking lot had collapsed, with no indication of the condition of the vehicles that may have been inside.
He said that it was possible to prevent the incident from reaching the gastronomic area, where the stationary gas tanks are located.
With regard to public parking, there is no information about the existence of protected vehicles, since no contact has been made with those responsible for the concession area.
Garibe Gonzalez reported that emergency services personnel are waiting for signals to begin evaluating and reviewing the commercial complex, which has about 800 tenants.
The expectation is that during Sunday, May 21, mobility will be restored in the affected area, although there is no estimate for the market, where tenants have requested that it remain closed until safety conditions for the population are determined.
When questioned about the existence of security measures in the market, Marco Antonio Garibe specified that with the first signs of a fire the watchmen came with fire extinguishers and needed the support of the emergency services.
Once a fire is declared destroyed, an inspection will be carried out to define the impacts, as well as to establish how many people were affected and to calculate the extent of these damages.
Immediately, he stressed, he would start working tables between the tenants and the municipal government to restore activities.
