Toluca warehouse fire forces evacuations near bus terminal

A large-scale fire destroyed an industrial waste warehouse in the Santa María de las Rosas neighborhood of Toluca, State of Mexico, on Sunday, August 16, 2026. The facility, measuring approximately 2,500 square meters and containing cardboard and recyclable materials, suffered a structural collapse during the blaze.

The intense fire produced a massive column of black smoke visible throughout the Toluca Valley. As a preventive measure, authorities evacuated approximately 250 people from nearby homes and businesses within a 100-meter radius. While three adjacent buildings sustained material damage due to the heat, no injuries or fatalities were reported.

Emergency response efforts involved firefighters from multiple municipalities, including Toluca, Temoaya, Lerma, and Metepec, alongside the Mexican Army (SEDENA), National Guard, and state civil protection. Road closures were implemented to facilitate firefighting operations. Once the flames were brought under control, crews began debris removal and thermal inspections to prevent reignition. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.