At least 80 people had to be hospitalized in the northern Colombian coastal city of Santa Marta on Sunday after a fire billowed toxic smoke over the city.
Officials have said that the blaze was started by a firework or similar incendiary device that landed in a materials warehouse and started the fire.
While it started at approximately 9:30 pm Sunday evening, the fire carried on into the early hours of Monday. In the course of trying to extinguish the fire, smoke and fumes spread throughout Santa Marta.
According to local reports, the neighborhoods of San Martin, Maria Eguenia and Los Alcazares were particularly affected by the smoke caused by the fire.
Environmental activist Alejandro Arias alleged on his website that the warehouse contained hazardous material including ammonia nitrate, belonging to US mining company Drummond.
Environmental licensing authority ANLA this morning confirmed that they were aware that Drummond were using trains to transport potentially dangerous material but they insisted that they had followed all safety protocols.
Sources
- Controlada emergencia ambiental tras incendio en Santa Marta (El Espectador)
- La conflagración fue atendida por varias máquinas del Cuerpo de Bomberos Voluntarios (El Tiempo)
- RESPUESTA DE ANLA A DENUNCIA DE NITARTO DE AMONIO (Alejandro Arias)
