At Least 23 Dead, 12 Injured After Fire at Store in Mexico During Weekend of Day of the Dead Celebrations

At least 23 people have died and several others were injured after a devastating fire broke out at a discount store in northern Mexico.

According to reports from La Jornada, Excelsior, and El Sol De Mexico, the blaze erupted at around 3:09 p.m. local time on Saturday, Nov. 1, following an explosion inside a Waldo’s store in Hermosillo, Sonora. The store was crowded with shoppers preparing for Day of the Dead festivities when the incident occurred.

Authorities confirmed that among the 23 victims were children, while at least 12 more people sustained injuries. Sonora Attorney General Gustavo Salas Chávez stated that preliminary findings suggest the victims died from inhaling toxic gases rather than from burns. He added that there is currently no evidence indicating the fire was started deliberately, according to the Associated Press.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos as thick black smoke poured from the shattered windows of the store. Emergency responders battled the flames for several hours before finally bringing the fire under control, local officials told La Jornada.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences in a message posted on X.
“My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died in the fire at a store in downtown Hermosillo,” she wrote. “I have been in contact with the Governor of Sonora, Alfonso Durazo, to offer any support needed. I have instructed the Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, to send a support team to assist the families and those injured.”

Authorities said that entering the damaged building remains too dangerous. Initial assessments suggest that the explosion might have originated from a transformer regulating the store’s electrical voltage, Excelsior reported.

Waldo’s, which operates numerous discount stores throughout Mexico, released an official statement on Facebook following the tragedy.
“At Waldo’s, we deeply regret the incident at one of our stores in Hermosillo, which resulted in the loss of life and injuries, according to preliminary reports from authorities,” the translated statement read. “We express our solidarity with those affected and their families. Our team is working to provide them with the necessary support during this difficult time. The causes of the incident are being investigated by local authorities, as is standard procedure in these cases. We will cooperate fully and responsibly in any way required.”

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.