In a note the Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Communities informs the public that a major fire broke out Thursday around 2:00 in the afternoon at a gas station near the bridge Vincent on the National #1, in Hinche in the Central Department.

The provisional toll is 31 people burned to varying degrees including 6 seriously and 7 people lost their lives in the flames.

Significant material damage is also be deplored, initial assessments indicate at least a half dozen homes damaged near the gas station, several vehicles burned including a tank truck and more than twenty motorcycles.

Local structures of the Civil Protection Directorate were immediately dispatched on site to rescue the victims and assist law enforcement agencies, the Red Cross and health facilities. The Delegate of the Centre Georges Garnier, went to the scene to make a first assessment of the situation.

Hospital St. Therese of Hinche assured a first support for victims and the most serious cases were transferred to hospital centers in the periphery, especially in Mirebalais and to the capital.

A contingent of the Minustah also helped to master the main source of the fire with tanker trucks and prevented the fire take greater proportions.

The causes of the incident are not yet known precisely.

Ariel Henry, the outgoing Minister of Interior and Territorial Communities, "presents its sympathies to the relatives and friends of the victims, sharing the pain of hinchois and all those affected by this sad event and ensure that the efforts will not be spared to provide assistance to the population in shock after the terrible fire."

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-16899-haiti-flash-important-fire-at-a-gas-station-heavy-toll.html

HL/ HaitiLibre