Waldo’s Collaboration with Authorities Following Tragic Incident
On Sunday, through a statement, the retail chain Waldo’s confirmed its collaboration with authorities to determine the causes of the fire that broke out on November 1 at one of its branches in Hermosillo, Sonora. The incident resulted in the tragic loss of 23 lives and left several others injured.
Waldo’s assured that it is working transparently and responsibly with authorities, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic events that occurred on Saturday at their downtown Hermosillo store. The company has initiated several actions to provide immediate support and companionship to the affected families, managing necessary resources urgently.
Since the beginning, Waldo’s has maintained close communication with the Sonora State Attorney General’s Office to clarify the incident. The company reiterated its commitment to supporting affected families while the facts are being clarified.
Temporary Closure of 68 Waldo’s Branches in Sonora
Adolfo Salazar Razo, the Secretary of Government for Sonora, announced the temporary closure of 68 Waldo’s branches operating within the state.
This decision aims to conduct a thorough review of safety conditions and compliance with relevant regulations in each store following the explosion at the Hermosillo downtown outlet.
“It has been instructed that each of the 68 locations be closed temporarily, all located within Sonora, to initiate a comprehensive review of adherence to necessary safety standards,” Salazar Razo stated during a joint press conference with state authorities on Sunday.
Salazar Razo further mentioned that, following instructions from Governor Alfonso Durazo, ongoing evaluation meetings will be held to update case information and review safety conditions at the company’s facilities.
The Secretary of Government pledged to provide all necessary information, documents, and files for the Sonora State Attorney General to determine responsibilities and identify those accountable for the incident.
During the press conference, authorities highlighted their communication with Waldo’s, noting the company’s willingness to cooperate with investigations.
Gustavo Salas, the Sonora State Fiscal General, stated that there is currently no indication—neither presumptive nor circumstantial—that the incident was intentionally caused.
“We continue to work under the same working hypothesis that it was an accident. We will determine the circumstances and conditions under which this commercial establishment was operating, together with the company and protection civil authorities,” Salas explained.
Authorities also mentioned the analysis of a possible connection between an electric transformer and a solar panel system installed on the roof of the Hermosillo downtown store. They clarified that this equipment belongs to Waldo’s, not the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE).
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Waldo’s? Waldo’s is a retail chain operating in Mexico, with branches across various states, including Sonora.
- What happened in Hermosillo? A fire broke out at a Waldo’s store in Hermosillo, Sonora, resulting in 23 fatalities and numerous injuries.
- How is Waldo’s responding? Waldo’s has committed to collaborating with authorities and providing support to affected families. They have also pledged to review safety standards across their Sonora branches.
- What is the current status of investigations? Authorities have not found any evidence suggesting the fire was intentionally caused. They are investigating possible connections between electrical equipment and rooftop solar panels.
- What is the role of Sonora State authorities? Sonora State authorities are working alongside Waldo’s to review safety standards, update case information, and determine responsibilities for the incident.
