Merchants of the Santiago Model Market demand urgent intervention after new fire
A recent incident at the Mercado Modelo in Santiago has raised alarms among merchants, who are reporting an alarming lack of security and poor controls at the facilities. The fire, which affected at least 20 shops, has left significant material losses, including destroyed merchandise and structural damage to the roofs of this iconic shopping center.
Indignation is growing among those affected, who question why the municipal administration continues to collect timely payments for the use of the stalls, while safety and fire prevention conditions remain precarious. The tenants point out that faults in the electrical connections are a constant threat that requires immediate attention.
There was already a loss here before and now another situation is happening again. We want you to help us, because we have little security. Every month they go through the modules to collect their money, but they should also focus on the market’s security.
Francis Tejada Martínez, affected merchant.
Direct call to Mayor Ulises Rodríguez
Given the recurrence of these events, merchants have made a direct appeal to the mayor of Santiago, Ulises Rodríguez. The main request is for a comprehensive intervention that guarantees greater surveillance and rigorous technical supervision of the commercial plaza’s electrical system.
Among the proposals presented by those affected, the creation of a technical commission in charge of authorizing and supervising any work on electrical installations stands out, in order to avoid negligence that could lead to new incidents.
Business impact
- Scope: Approximately 15 to 20 first-level stores were affected.
- Affected sectors: Jewelry stores, perfumeries, and personalized item businesses were the hardest hit by the fire.
- Solidarity: Owners of unaffected businesses have joined together to collaborate on the recovery of merchandise and the cleaning of the impacted areas, highlighting the sense of brotherhood that prevails in the market.
The landscape, described by the tenants themselves as desolate, revives the fear generated by the fire that occurred just this past August 2, 2024, when dozens of modules were consumed by the flames. The merchants insist that they are not looking for more promises, but rather concrete solutions that prevent the Mercado Modelo from becoming the scene of a tragedy of greater proportions in the near future.
