By the time the flames were finally brought under control, entire sections of San Juan de Miraflores lay in ruins. Rows of improvised hillside homes were reduced to twisted metal, scorched wood, and drifting ash.
What once held daily life—clothes, documents, savings, school notebooks, and family photographs—vanished in hours. Many residents stood silently, watching firefighters sift through debris that had been their homes.
The fire spread rapidly through the tightly packed structures, leaving little chance for escape or recovery. For many families, everything they owned was lost at once.
As the smoke cleared, a new crisis emerged. Hundreds of people were left without shelter, sleeping outdoors under donated blankets while waiting for food, water, and assistance.
Authorities believe a hidden fireworks workshop intensified the blaze, turning an already dangerous fire into a series of violent explosions. Sparks and blasts accelerated the destruction.
Investigators are now working to determine how such a hazardous operation existed among residential homes. Questions about oversight and safety remain unanswered.
For residents, the focus is survival. Aid groups and neighbors have begun organizing support, sharing what little remains and offering comfort where possible.
Amid overwhelming loss, one thing endures. The community, though devastated, is leaning on solidarity and resilience—clinging to one another as they begin the long process of rebuilding.