Hermosillo (Mexico): At least 23 people, including several children, were killed and 12 others injured after a devastating fire and explosion ripped through a convenience store in downtown Hermosillo, the capital of Sonora state, on Saturday.
Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo confirmed the incident in a video statement posted on social media, describing it as one of the deadliest tragedies to hit the region in recent years. He said rescue teams and firefighters responded swiftly to contain the blaze, which engulfed the Waldo’s store within minutes.
Sonora Attorney General Gustavo Salas Chávez later provided details of the casualties, stating that all 12 injured victims had been rushed to six hospitals across Hermosillo. “Preliminary investigations indicate the deaths were caused by inhalation of toxic gases,” Salas Chávez said, adding that authorities are still determining the cause of the fire.
“At this time, we have no indication that leads us to presume the fire was intentional,” the attorney general noted, while clarifying that no possible cause has been ruled out yet.
Eyewitnesses and videos circulating on social media captured the horrifying scale of the blaze. One clip showed a man, severely burned, collapsing on the asphalt just a few metres from the store’s entrance as flames roared behind him. Thick smoke and explosions were seen billowing from the structure as firefighters battled the inferno late into the night.
Local authorities have begun coordinating with forensic teams and safety inspectors to assess structural damage and determine whether gas leaks or electrical faults may have triggered the explosion.
Governor Durazo expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and promised full support for the injured. “We will ensure that every aspect of this tragedy is investigated thoroughly and that those affected receive all necessary assistance,” he said.
The tragedy has left the Hermosillo community in shock, with citizens gathering near the site to offer prayers and support for the victims’ families.
