Iquique Zona Franca warehouse fire triggers massive emergency response

A large-scale structural fire broke out on Monday, October 19, at the Zona Franca (Zofri) walled precinct in Iquique, Chile. The blaze specifically affected warehouse number 8 in block 21, located near Gate 13, which houses a company specializing in kitchenware and household goods.

More than 180 firefighters from Iquique, Alto Hospicio, Santa Rosa de Huantajaya, and Pozo Almonte responded to the emergency. The intensity of the fire caused a three-story structure to suffer a partial collapse and produced a large column of black smoke visible across the city.

Zofri S.A. management activated security protocols and ordered the preventive evacuation of nearby sectors. General Manager Enrique Montealegre stated that the company is collaborating with emergency services by providing water and machinery, noting that previous experiences have allowed for more effective coordination during such incidents.