Overview
- A daytime explosion and large fire tore through the commercial centre of Remedios de Escalada after a machine working on MetroGAS network-renovation works damaged a gas distribution pipe.
- Emergency crews fought the blaze and evacuated nearby homes, a nursery and a geriatric facility while aerial footage from police showed extensive damage around the Beltrán and Del Valle Iberlucea intersection.
- Hospitals treated about 20 people wounded, with roughly five reported in serious condition with severe burns and the most critical patients sent to the Interzonal General de Agudos Evita hospital.
- MetroGAS publicly confirmed the incident occurred during its renewal works, and investigators are now focusing on the sequence of work, on-site safety steps and possible company or contractor liability.
- The event highlights risks of heavy machinery in dense urban streets during meter and pipe replacement and could prompt tighter oversight of gas-renovation procedures and emergency planning in the district.