On the evening of March 30, 2025, a significant fire erupted at a large warehouse in Cartago, Costa Rica, prompting a rapid response from the local fire department.

Firefighters dispatched ten units and 40 personnel to handle the emergency at a 1,500 square meter structure located in San Nicolás, Taras.

The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.

According to Dayan Contreras from the fire department, the blaze was threatening two adjacent structures, with one estimated at 150 square meters also affected.

Firefighting units arrived to find both warehouses engulfed in flames, complicating their efforts.

The area contained hazardous materials such as oil filters, rubber, and various metals, leading to concerns over potential explosives due to the nature of the materials involved.

Upon their arrival shortly after 6 p.m., firefighters reported hearing explosions, which were likely related to the materials stored in the warehouses.

A nearby security guard was present but unharmed, and fortunately, initial reports indicated that there were no casualties.

In total, firefighters had to utilize five fire trucks and two water tankers to bring the situation under control.

Damage assessments revealed that one abandoned vehicle was completely consumed by flames, while a truck experienced partial damage.

This incident is part of a worrying trend in the Gran Área Metropolitana (GAM), where several significant fires have occurred throughout the year.

In January, a fire demolished a 4,300 square meter warehouse in San Pedro de Montes de Oca, and in February, another blaze affected a restaurant and other commercial properties in Guadalupe.

March has seen a series of fires, including a major incident in Heredia that destroyed a warehouse of cleaning products, underscoring the increasing urgency for fire safety measures in industrial and commercial areas.

Investigation into the cause of the fire in Cartago will commence as authorities seek to determine the source and prevent future occurrences.