Lack of water as fire destroys 10 homes in Santa Ana

A fire that witnesses claimed was started by children, playing with matches, destroyed 10 houses on Calle 13 in Santa Ana on Wednesday, January 23.

Columns of smoke billowed over the city soon after 10.30 am when the blaze began and quickly spread as residents rushed to try to retrieve their belongings.
Fire chief Pablo Tuñón said the houses were made of wood and concrete and that a lack of water hampered efforts to control the blaze.
No injuries were reported. although a piece of wood hit a firefighter in the head, but his helmet prevented him from being injured
Minister of Housing José Domingo Arias said that assistance will be provided to the affected families. It is not known how many people lived in the houses.
Witnesses said a group of children playing with matches led to the fire, but the investigation is continuing.
Deputy Chief Rodrigo Baruco refuted reports that the department was late in arriving, saying the fire was fully developed by the time it was reported.
The fire is thought to have started in a house named Verona. Explosions were heard, and immediately residents started trying to gather their belongings before their houses went up in flames. Police, rescue workers and firefighters evacuated nearby buildings as the fire spread.
At least seven tanker trucks from three stationsresponded to the fire, but battling the blaze was complicated by a lack of water.