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Deadly Fire at Mexico Discount Store Kills 23, Injures 11
A fire at a Waldo's discount store in Hermosillo, northwestern Mexico, killed at least 23 people and injured 11 others on Saturday, local officials confirmed. Among the victims are children, including a 15-year-old girl hospitalized with injuries.
Explosion-Like Blaze Engulfs Store
Witnesses and authorities described the incident as an explosion, though Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo stated the exact cause remains under investigation. The state's public security secretariat dismissed claims of a deliberate attack, ruling out violence as a motive.
Footage from the scene showed thick black smoke billowing from the building, with flames spreading to parked cars outside. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, charred debris and a destroyed storefront window-alongside a burnt-out vehicle-were visible.
Toxic Gases Cited as Primary Cause of Deaths
Sonora Attorney General Gustavo Salas Chávez told reporters Sunday that most fatalities resulted from "exposure to toxic gases." While no evidence suggests arson, he noted the probe would examine all potential causes.
Official Reactions and Investigations
Governor Durazo pledged a "transparent and thorough" investigation in a video address, offering condolences to victims' families:
"To the families who lost a loved one... I share your pain and offer you my full solidarity."
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her sympathies on social media, writing:
"My heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives."
Impact on Local Community
The fire occurred during Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations, prompting Sonora officials to cancel Sunday's cultural events. Waldo's, a ubiquitous discount chain with hundreds of locations nationwide, has not yet issued a public statement.
