Panama Fire Fighters Bring Multi-Warehouse Fire Under Control

November 13, 2007 – Panama Local 13 fire fighters responded through a mutual aid agreement with local fire fighters – the Bomberos – after several warehouses burned out of control in the France Field area of the Colon Free Trade Zone of the Republic of Panama.

The Bomberos had been fighting the fire for several hours when eight were electrocuted. Two died and six were seriously injured.

“They needed everything,” says Walt O’Neill, president of Local 13. “We sent ambulances for the fire fighters and fire apparatus to help them put out the flames that had engulfed eight warehouses full of various commercial items. It was pretty bad when we got there, so we were in immediate defense mode.”

The blaze is believed to have started in the warehouse for Hisa Interational, which distributes cigarette lighters and textiles. The Bomberos were met with many challenges, including fire hydrants with very little water pressure. Using sea water, the fire fighters tried to extinguish the fire, the fire spread too quickly through other warehouses.

Local 13 fire fighters provided medical attention for the injured Bomberos and helped get the fire under control – a process that took two days. Only one of the eight warehouses was saved.