A large fire in El Pondaje sowed panic and destruction last Thursday afternoon in eastern Cali, after the flames consumed several lightly constructed homes, leaving dozens of families affected.

Videos spread on social networks showed the magnitude of the emergency, which forced a wide deployment of relief agencies.

According to the report from the Cali Volunteer Fire Department, the conflagration occurred in the sector known as La Laguna, specifically on Calle 72P and Carrera 27. Upon arriving at the scene, the rescuers confirmed that it was a structural fire that compromised nearly 20 homes, of which at least 10 were completely destroyed.

The fire in El Pondaje spread quickly because the house where it originated was built of wood and other highly flammable materials, which made it easy for the flames to advance in a matter of minutes to neighboring houses. Although some residents managed to rescue some of their belongings, the majority lost everything.

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Initially, emergency response included two fire extinguishing machines, tank trucks and paramedical personnel. However, given the magnitude of the fire, the operation was reinforced to include more than 30 firefighters, six fire extinguishing machines, two tank trucks and ambulances.

Corporal Néstor Giraldo, emergency coordinator of the Fire Department, confirmed that the work lasted until the early hours of this Friday, January 2, when complete control of the fire was finally achieved, around 4:11 am. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The authorities continue with the census of the affected families and advance the investigation to establish the causes that led to the fire in El Pondaje, while the community requests institutional support in the face of the loss of their homes.

Photos of Cali Firefighters.

Photos taken from social networks.

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