Feb. 29--Thousands of people, mostly maquiladora workers, were evacuated as the Juarez Fire Department tried to control a huge fire started at a chemical storage, officials said.
Law enforcement officials closed Bermudez Industrial Park, near Industrias Avenue, authorities said. Motorist were advised to seek alternative routes.
The fire started around 9:45 a.m. today at the Margopool Warehouse, said Efren Matamoros, Juarez director of environment Services.
"Their situation is dangerous because there is a potential for an explosion over there," Matamoros said in a telephone interview. "So we had to close the streets and evacuate many people."
Matamoros said he doesn't know how many people were evacuated. Fire investigators are trying to establish the cause of the fire.
That warehouse stores explosive chemicals like thinner and sulfuric acid, among other substances, Matamoros said.
"The fire is under control right now," Matamoros said. "But there are still some flames flaring up, so all the fire department units and rescue workers are working on scene."
Marisela Ortega Lozano maybe reached at [email protected]; 542-6077.
Copyright 2012 - El Paso Times, Texas
