Cancun, Quintana Roo — A fire broke out Monday morning at Mi Plaza Los Héroes shopping center, prompting the evacuation of at least 300 people. No injuries were reported, but the blaze caused significant property damage.
The fire started in the warehouse of the clothing store Óptima, located inside the mall. Panic ensued as shoppers and employees noticed smoke and flames emerging from the storage area.
Emergency services received a 911 call around 11:00 a.m. reporting a thick column of smoke at the shopping center, situated at the intersection of Avenidas Chac Mool and 20 de Noviembre. Firefighters arrived quickly and began working to control the blaze.
Authorities immediately activated safety protocols and evacuated more than 300 people from various businesses within the mall. In addition to firefighters, Civil Protection, Cancun Municipal Police, the National Guard, the Mexican Army, and paramedics responded to coordinate the evacuation and fight the fire.
In a social media post, the Benito Juárez City Council stated: “Our team is working in a coordinated manner to control the situation and safeguard the integrity of the public. No injuries have been reported. Please avoid the area, allow emergency crews to work, and stay informed through official channels.”
Although the cause of the fire has not been officially confirmed, authorities suspect it may have been triggered by a short circuit in the store’s warehouse. The presence of cotton garments likely helped the fire spread quickly.
During the firefighting operation, about 10 firefighters were affected by smoke inhalation. They were treated at the scene and did not require hospitalization.
As a preventive measure, authorities cordoned off the shopping center, and CFE (Federal Electricity Commission) personnel cut off power to the area while the emergency was being handled.
Several businesses, including Cinemex, Soriana, Milano, and Parisina, were evacuated as a result of the fire.
