Fire at a rehabilitation center in the Tlalpan municipality leaves 5 dead and 6 intoxicated

A fire at the 'Men and Women Prepared' rehabilitation center in the Topilejo area of ​​the Tlalpan municipality left 5 people dead and 6 intoxicated on Monday, February 24, reported the Secretariat of Citizen Security of Mexico City (SSC).

The SSC reported that the people were affected by inhaling carbon monoxide after the accident in a building on Vista Hermosa Street, in the Ocotla Chico neighborhood, south of Mexico City.

“ Operators from the Command and Control Center (C2) South issued an emergency report of a fire at a home and, upon arrival, the uniformed officers verified that it was a rehabilitation center for addictions, where there were several unconscious men, so they requested a medical unit and the presence of the Heroic Fire Department,” the Security Secretariat said in an information card.

The paramedics who arrived at the scene assessed 11 people, of whom 5 were diagnosed as having no vital signs due to possible carbon monoxide inhalation. Meanwhile, the rest were treated on site. The area was cordoned off so that the authorities could carry out the corresponding investigations.

In a meeting with the media, the head of the Secretariat for Comprehensive Risk Management and Civil Protection (SGIRPC), Myriam Urzúa, explained that the fire had started in the bedroom area and had reached the furniture around the rehabilitation center for addictions.

Meanwhile, the Mexico City Prosecutor's Office is already conducting the corresponding investigations to determine the causes, although a possible riot or escape attempt has not been ruled out.

The official added that she would go to the place where the accident occurred to determine if it complied with the necessary Civil Protection protocols such as the use of fire extinguishers, emergency exits, among others.

The manager of the rehabilitation center, along with the employees, were brought before the Public Prosecutor's Office to determine their legal situation.

Mexico City Firefighters reported through 'X' that after extinguishing the fire, debris removal and cooling work is being carried out.

The Tlalpan mayor's office, through a statement, regretted the death of the men inside the annex and assured that it will collaborate with the corresponding authorities to clarify the events in this private annex and find out how it operated, as well as the causes of the fire.