Fire destroys Ferreteria Bellon hardware store in Santiago

posted on: Aug 13 2010 9:28 by The Reporter. Viewed 747 times.


One of the oldest and largest hardware stores in Santiago was destroyed by fire on Monday evening (Aug 11). The Ferreteria Bellon store on Bartolome Colon was at least 85% destroyed according to reports, as firefighters took at least seven hours to douse the flames.

Initial reports suggest that the fire started around 9pm, possibly due to an electricity short-circuit. Tanks of flammable materials such as paint, fueled the fire as it raced through the two-storey building.

In the midst of the fire there were explosions that brought down the roof and the business frontage, forcing onlookers to leave the area. A two-storey house located in the nearby Jacinto Dumit street was the first to be affected with all the furniture damaged inside.

As the blaze went on, Santiago�s Mayor-elect, Dr. Gilberto Serulle, who was present in the area appealed for help from business people and friends who immediately sent trucks with water tanks, as the magnitude of the fire quickly exhausted the initial water tank trucks.

They also called for help on other nearby fire departments in Puerto Plata, Tamboril,  Mao, Moca, La Vega, Salcedo, Villa Gonz�lez, Navarrete.

6 related news articles

Fires raging across the country as drought continues: Apr 5 2010

25 forest fires every day: Apr 1 2010

Fire at Playa Dorada: Feb 21 2010

Arson ruled out Puerto Plata Airport fire: Feb 10 2010

Fire destroys bar in Sosua, firemen arrive on motos: Feb 3 2010

Fire at Puerto Plata airport: Jan 14 2010