Fire Near Guillermo Almenara Hospital Displaces Family, Prompts Evacuations

A large fire broke out Thursday morning in a warehouse located on Jiron Abtao in the La Victoria district, directly in front of the Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen National Hospital. The intense smoke was visible throughout the city and impacted nearby residents, according to the original report.

Emergency Response

Firefighters were alerted to the blaze around 6:50 a.m. And deployed 22 units from the General Fire Department of Peru, including water trucks, tankers, ambulances, and rescue teams. The fire was classified as a “code 3” incident due to its magnitude, extending to the hospital’s maternity ward, blood bank, and chapel.

As of 10:10 AM, the fire had been contained, meaning it was prevented from spreading to other structures. However, firefighters continued working to fully extinguish the flames, a process expected to seize more than three hours. More than 80 firefighters were mobilized to address the emergency.

Family Displaced, Warehouse Operated Illegally

The fire originated in a warehouse storing unused fabric and clothing. Authorities determined the warehouse was operating without a license and a family residing there was displaced, losing their home in the blaze. The sub-manager of Disaster Risk Management, Óscar Fernández Jeri, stated that four people were left without a home.

Hospital Evacuations and Medical Incidents

EsSalud, the Peruvian Social Health Insurance system, evacuated patients from hospital areas closest to the fire as a precaution. The Ministry of Health also evacuated eight patients from the Intensive Care Unit to the II Clínica San Isidro Labrador Hospital via ambulance. Three medical personnel sustained minor injuries during the response, including one firefighter with foot abrasions who was transported to the Guillermo Almenara Hospital for treatment.

Ongoing Investigation and Support

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Sedapal, the Lima water utility, dispatched two water tankers and increased water pressure to support firefighting efforts. The municipality of La Victoria is providing assistance, and authorities will be imposing a fine on the warehouse owner for operating without a license.

Firefighters are continuing to operate at the scene.