Barranquilla Fire Claims Five Lives, Community Begins Long Road to Recovery
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A devastating fire at the Recreation Flowers residential complex in Barranquilla, Colombia, on July 20, 2025, resulted in five fatalities and left hundreds displaced, marking a somber day for the city.
The early morning blaze, which originated in the building’s electrical substation located in the underground parking area, quickly filled the complex with thick smoke, triggering a desperate evacuation. The incident underscores the critical importance of fire safety measures in multi-family dwellings and the swift response needed in emergency situations.
The Initial Emergency and Immediate Aftermath
The conflagration caused widespread alarm among residents of the 175-unit complex, located on 61st Street between Carreras 41 and 43. Firefighters responded to the scene to find residents struggling to escape the smoke-filled hallways. Tragically, four individuals succumbed to asphyxiation on the day of the fire: Yony de Jesús Espitia Jiménez, Giovanna Rodríguez Plazas, 63, and two others whose names have not been released.
A fifth fatality, Wilson Mandon Castro, 60, died after falling from a height while attempting to descend from his apartment using sheets tied together – a desperate measure born of panic and the overwhelming smoke.
Stories of Loss and Courage
The victims represent a cross-section of the Barranquilla community. Yony de Jesús Espitia Jiménez, a bank employee from Cartagena, was visiting Barranquilla with his wife and two young daughters, ages 7 and 2, to attend a wedding. In a harrowing account, it was reported that he initially guided his eldest daughter to safety before returning to rescue his wife and youngest child, ultimately succumbing to the smoke-filled environment. His youngest daughter was admitted to the ICU due to smoke inhalation.
The brother of Wilson Mandon Castro recounted a frantic, unanswered phone call received at 4:30 AM on the morning of the fire. “He made me a call…but unfortunately I didn’t hear it. Suddenly he was panicking, asking me for help, but I didn’t have the chance to answer him,” he shared, highlighting the agonizing helplessness felt by loved ones. He explained that his brother, living alone, likely panicked due to the smoke and heat, attempting a dangerous escape.
Delayed Impact and Ongoing Recovery
The tragedy continued to unfold in the days and weeks following the initial fire. Kira Margarita Molina Romero, 55, a psycho-counselor at the IEDT More Delmar school, died nine days after the incident on July 29th, after being admitted to a local healthcare center. Her brother, Havit Molina, who is also a teacher, described her as “a happy woman, committed to her pedagogical tasks, an incomparable sister. She was a very special person.” He remembered her “premise of organization, of saving, of preparing for old age, so that we have a happy old age.”
Lina María Zuluaga Henao, 45, was the fifth and final victim, succumbing to her injuries 22 days after the fire while hospitalized.
More than five months after the event, the residents of Recreation Flowers are slowly attempting to rebuild their lives. A census conducted by the Risk Management Office revealed that 586 people were evacuated from the complex. While many initially sought refuge with relatives, residents have begun returning to their apartments as repairs are completed. Towers C and D have been deemed safe for re-occupancy, while work continues to restore towers A and B, which sustained the most significant smoke damage. The building administration confirmed the complex maintained a comprehensive horizontal property policy, suggesting a proactive approach to building maintenance and safety.
The fire at Recreation Flowers serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of preparedness in the face of disaster. The community of Barranquilla mourns the loss of five lives and supports the ongoing recovery efforts of those affected.
