Overview
- A large blaze swept through the Policía Nacional depot in Incho, El Tambo, burning for hours and leaving dozens of impounded vehicles destroyed while no police officers were reported injured.
- Fire and rescue chiefs gave sharply different loss estimates, with the fire department saying more than 100 vehicles were affected and regional police reporting 35, and officials say those counts remain under review.
- Firefighters struggled early because water cisterns took nearly an hour to arrive, and some crews received medical attention for asphyxia and dehydration during prolonged suppression efforts.
- Explosions and intense flames were reported because many seized vehicles still held fuel and crews removed containers of acetone that increased the risk at the scene.
- Investigators are examining whether the blaze spread from a nearby brush fire or from an alleged uncontrolled grass burn by a local officer, and owners who lost vehicles face major material and emotional damage as official tallies are finalized.