Overview
- The blaze ignited around 3 a.m. on December 30 on Calle Las Flores in the 15 de Noviembre settlement in Belén and was brought under control by about 6 a.m.
- At least 16 rustic homes were destroyed, leaving 24 families—about 86 people—displaced, according to preliminary local counts.
- Firefighters reported severe access problems, including unstable ground that trapped a cistern and long hose runs that reduced water pressure, said commander Manuel Rosas.
- The origin remains under investigation, with early hypotheses pointing to an unattended candle or an electrical short circuit.
- Defensa Civil secured the area and registered affected households as donations began arriving, and neighbors also reported opportunistic thefts during the emergency.