:quality(75)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/elcomercio/KATX4CHNGZAUHLL3GBFQKKSX2E.jpeg "San Miguel: Why did the fire at the chemical inputs factory become uncontrollable? | hardware store | Mega Master Peru SAC | ‘Mr. Brillo’ and ‘Moreno Power’ | injured firefighters | affected homes | contracts with state | LIME")
Twenty-nine firefighter units were necessary to control the fire that occurred this Monday in block one of Lima Street, in the district of San Miguel. The emergency was alerted at approximately 10:15 in the morning, but the fire continued for almost four hours until it was controlled at around four in the afternoon. A chemical warehouse operated there – under the facade of a hardware store – and at least four families lived there. Neighbors warned that more than a dozen explosions were heard.
Likewise, it was learned that the fire left a 20-year-old young man injured, who was taken to Loayza Hospital. This was confirmed by Carlos Tineo, citizen security manager of the commune. On the other hand, four firefighters were treated after suffering heat stroke. Brigadier Major Rafael Loza, departmental commander of Lima Centro, confirmed to El Comercio that those affected were stable.
Fire
A chemical inputs factory operated there, despite the fact that it had a license to operate as a hardware store. Photos: Giancarlo Ávila/GEC.
long day
About 30 firefighting units arrived at the scene to attend to the emergency, which was controlled about four hours later, but the extinguishing efforts continued.
Neighbors affected
Several families have been affected by the fire, which is why a census has been initiated by the municipality.
a chemical plant
The official also warned that the premises had a municipal permit to operate as a hardware store, but that in reality it would be a chemical inputs factory. Tineo identified the company as Química Industrial Moreno EIRL, which confirms on its website that its production plant is located at Calle Lima 150, where the fire occurred. This company is the manufacturer of the brands ‘Mr. Brillo’ and ‘Moreno Power’, which encompass products such as waxes, disinfectants, degreasers, deodorants and other chemical products.
Clients of Química Industrial Moreno EIRL, according to its website.
Likewise, the company’s website indicates that – among its list of clients – is the Municipality of Jesús María, the Peruvian Navy and the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP). According to information from the National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration (Sunat), the company’s main activities are the manufacture of chemical inputs and the wholesale and retail sale of these products.
In addition to having its address on Lima Street, the company registers two other branches. These are located on Benavides Avenue, in the Miraflores district, and on Luis Banchero Rossi Street, in the Ventanilla district (Callao). The manager and legal representative of Química Industrial Moreno EIRL is Carlos Enrique Moreno Bocanegra. El Comercio was able to learn that the company has maintained contracts with -at least- 36 State entities, totaling an amount of 5,249,053.54 soles since 2005.
#Informate Lima: Air pollutants generated by the fire in a warehouse located on Lima Street (San Miguel) will mainly affect the districts of San Miguel, Cercado de Lima and Callao. pic.twitter.com/FMarMRieAV
— Senamhi (@Senamhiperu) February 12, 2024
ITSE Certificate
El Comercio learned that the Technical Building Safety Inspection Certificate for establishments with a risk level was granted by the Municipality of San Miguel. However, this was not given to Química Industrial Moreno EIRL, but to Mega Master Perú SAC under the business of “sale of hardware items.”
On November 6, 2023, under the signature of Mr. Luis A. Luna Renteros, the aforementioned company was certified, after supposedly having complied with the security conditions. The evaluation was requested by Tani Eugenia Valladares Hoyos de Moreno.
Approval certificate of the Technical Building Safety Inspection (ITSE) granted by the Municipality of San Miguel to Mega Master del Perú SAC
According to information from Sunat, Mega Master del Perú SAC’s main activities are the retail sale of hardware items, paints and glass products in specialized stores. According to the entity’s latest report, the company had three workers.
The water was missing again
Once again, the lack of water was a problem for the firefighters’ work. Images captured by various television media revealed the inconsistent water supply that did not allow the first aerial units (telescopic ladders, platforms, etc.) to maintain a continuous attack against the fire.
In conversation with El Comercio, CBP Brigadier Major Luis Paredes revealed that the pressure and flow of the hydrants
was minimal, which was an obstacle, CBP Major Brigadier Luis Paredes revealed that the pressure and flow of the hydrants was minimal, which was an obstacle to firefighting maneuvers. “The hoses I placed [en el hidrante] they were sucked because consumption [del camión] “was greater than the supply,” he said. before]they were sucked because the consumption [del camión] “It was greater than the supply,” he said.
Given the weak water supply provided by the hydrant, it was decided to use suction hoses – which are harder – since the other hoses contracted.
What was the strategy to control the fire?
The commander explained that the first attack strategy was through nozzles that consumed a lot of water, so a large supply capacity was required. It should be noted that the National Building Regulations establish that all hydrants must comply with a flow rate of 250 gallons per minute in residential areas, while in industrial areas the minimum is 750 gallons per minute.
This would not have been achieved, so Sedapal reported that the pressure in the area would increase. Commander Paredes maintained that this measure usually takes about half an hour until the increase in water pressure is effective. Likewise, the sending of tanker trucks to remedy the lack of water was reported. The water and sewage entity told El Comercio that firefighters used the three hydrants near the fire.
To supply the units it was necessary to use swimming pools, which were constantly filled by tanker trucks to guarantee the water supply.
“The problem is that the tankers are from different institutions. Those from Sedapal, Callao, the Municipality of Lima, the Parque de las Leyendas, [pero] You have to put them in order and put them in a place so they can come and go. They all have to be coming and going to keep the pool full. If water stops entering, we will run out of water in minutes. Only when a lot of cisterns have started to come, have we made a carousel with constant water,” said Paredes.
Another reason that made the fire uncontrollable was evidently the material that was consumed inside the factory: waxes, disinfectants, degreasers, deodorants and other chemical products, all highly flammable and polluting.