A sweeping fire tore through the Pamplona Alta sector of San Juan de Miraflores in Lima on Saturday afternoon, transforming what began as a localized blaze into a disaster that displaced hundreds of residents within hours. The fire erupted in a zone known for its tightly packed dwellings—many constructed from wood, cardboard, and lightweight metal sheets—and quickly consumed home after home as winds and the combustibility of the structures fueled the flames. Thick smoke billowed high above the hills, visible across wide stretches of the capital, while the residents below scrambled to escape with whatever items they could gather. Streets filled with people clutching clothing bundles, furniture fragments, or nothing at all, while others simply stood in shock as the fire overtook the homes they had occupied for decades. What began as an afternoon like any other swiftly turned into a communal flight for survival, with families seeking refuge in neighboring streets, open plazas, and improvised shelters as firefighters struggled to reach the area’s narrow corridors.
Leave a Reply