A large fire hit two commercial establishments inside the Limpio Municipal Market in the Central Department on Sunday afternoon, causing significant material losses and moments of panic among merchants and customers. The fire started at the corner of Fulgencio Yegros Street and San José Avenue, in the heart of the commercial center, and spread quickly due to the presence of flammable materials in the affected shops.
Six volunteer fire companies worked intensely to contain the flames and prevent them from reaching other nearby sales points. The lack of accessible hydrants again forced the use of water tanker trucks to supply the firefighters, a situation that residents and merchants have denounced for years. One of the establishments operated as a clothing store and the other stored various goods, which facilitated the spread of the fire. There were no injuries, but the economic losses are considerable for the owners.
After the fire was controlled, firefighters and National Police agents carried out cooling and structural verification work. Initial hypotheses point to a possible short circuit in the electrical connections, although the exact causes depend on technical expertise. The episode reignited the debate about safety conditions at the municipal market and the age of the electrical installations. Merchants had already warned about precarious connections and overload in the site's energy system.
Limpio is one of the main commercial hubs of the Central Department, with accelerated urban growth and strong economic activity in markets and supply centers.