Story by
MANUEL HERRERA, Heroico Cuerpo de Bomberos de Xalapa, Mexico

Photos by
A. SALGADO, Diario de Xalapa, Mexico

On Thursday, May 30, 2002, in the small city of Coatepec, Mexico, firefighters battled a deadly explosion that ultimately claimed the lives of six citizens.

Two tractor trailors were stopped at a warehouse loading dock. Combined, the rigs carried 20,000 liters of fuel, which would soon be completely consumed by flames.

First arriving units on the scene were from the neighboring Xalapa, Mexico Fire Department.

Because of the small size of Coatepec, the city does not have it's own fire department.

The next tractor trailor, parked next to the first flaming rig, blew up 20 minutes after the Xalapa Firefighters arrived.

The explosion from the second tractor trailor ripped a staggering tower of flames and smoke 400 meters into the dark sky.

Units on the scene battled the blaze well through the evening.

Unfortunately, 6 victims were lost in the fire. None of these were firefighters.