Fire affects 17 stores at the Mercado Modelo in Santiago
A devastating fire that occurred during the early hours of last Sunday has left a preliminary toll of 17 establishments affected at the iconic Mercado Modelo in Santiago. The blaze was located specifically in the area known as El Sombrerero, a zone of high commercial activity within the city’s Historic Center.
General Alexis Moscat, director of the Santiago Fire Department, reported that the rapid response of emergency units was vital to contain the flames. Rescue teams prioritized controlling the main source to prevent the fire from spreading to other adjacent modules, managing to protect a large part of the commercial structure.
We focused on the most affected area and on protecting the other establishments to avoid a greater tragedy, given that the place contains highly flammable materials that facilitate the rapid spread of the fire.
General Alexis Moscat, Director of the Santiago Fire Department
Damage assessment and current situation
Although the number of affected premises stands at 17, authorities clarified that the level of damage varies significantly among each one. While some businesses suffered the direct impact of the flames, others presented damage derived from the intense heat, smoke accumulation, or the use of water during extinction maneuvers.
This event represents the second major fire to strike this commercial area in recent years, recalling the incident recorded in 2024 that affected more than 100 modules. For the moment, investigations into the origin of the fire remain paused.
- Investigation status: It has not yet begun due to the high temperatures in the area, which prevent a safe technical survey.
- Perimeter security: More than 70 National Police officers were deployed to secure the area during and after the emergency.
- Next steps: Once the terrain is safe, specialized departments will conduct assessments to determine the exact causes and quantify the economic losses.
Local authorities highlighted the effective coordination during the operation, thanking the support of fire departments from other districts that joined the effort. Currently, merchants remain waiting for the final reports to know the real extent of the losses suffered and the steps to follow for the recovery of their workspaces.
