Mesa Redonda fire

The Mesa Redonda fire occurred on Saturday, 29 December 2001 in Lima, Peru. The disaster killed at least 291[1] people and injured at least another 134.[2] It is currently the worst firework-related fire in history in terms of deaths.

Mesa Redonda fire
Date29 December 2001
Time7:30 PM
LocationLima, Peru
Deaths291
Non-fatal injuries134

Origin

In 2001, the Mesa Redonda shopping center, located in Central Lima, consisted largely of wood and adobe houses lining narrow streets. In December, fireworks merchants were known to sell their goods for holiday celebrations.[3] Wary of the danger, the municipal government of Lima declared the area an "emergency zone."[3]

The fire began at about 7:30 PM on the night of 29 December when a fireworks display created a chain reaction, setting off the fireworks of other nearby vendors.[4] A spark from the demonstration had landed on a stockpile of fireworks, creating the initial explosion.[5] The aftermath created a "wall of fire" that spread for four blocks and raged for several hours.[4]

References
  1. Gonzales, David (2002-01-06). "Lima Street Vendors Caught Between Police and Poverty". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  2. "Fireworks killed 282 people in Peru". BBC News. 31 December 2001. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  3. "Peru's fire: death foretold". The Economist. 3 January 2002. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  4. Ryan, Missy (30 December 2001). "Over 200 die in Peru fireworks blaze". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  5. Stonaker, Mary Elizabeth (2008). Management of Dead Bodies in Disaster Situations. DIANE Publishing. p. 153. ISBN 9781437900637.
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