Fire damages 108 stalls in Acapulco’s Central Market

A fire broke out in Acapulco's Central Market early Wednesday, causing extensive damage to more than 100 stalls. No serious injuries or deaths were reported. The blaze ignited before 6 a.m. and rapidly spread towards the footwear and flowers sections of the market, which is the largest in Acapulco. Local vendors assisted firefighters by providing buckets of water to combat the flames.

Over 100 firefighters managed to bring the fire under control by Wednesday, but continued working on Thursday to cool down three areas where smoke was still present. The cause of the fire has not been officially determined, although a short circuit in the market's electrical system has been identified as a potential trigger. Acapulco's civil protection chief, Raúl Noyola Rocha, stated that an investigation by the Guerrero Attorney General's Office will take up to a week to produce results.

The municipal government initially reported 90 stalls damaged, with 75 in the footwear section and 15 in the flowers section. However, Mayor Leticia Lozano clarified on Thursday that 108 stalls were, in fact, damaged. Cleanup efforts, including the removal of debris, were underway at the market on Thursday, with Mexican soldiers and affected shopkeepers providing assistance.

Smoke and smoke remnants continued to be present in the market on Thursday, along with "burnt metallic structures" and goods reduced to ashes. Affected stall owners are expected to receive an initial economic support payment from the municipal government on Friday, though the exact amount per stallholder has not been specified. Authorities plan to adapt part of the market to accommodate up to 110 temporary stalls while the footwear and flower sections are rebuilt.

The Central Market has a history of fire incidents, with a total of 12 fires occurring since it was built in 1969. A major blaze in 2023 destroyed around 570 stalls.