A fire caused by a short-circuit in a fan struck an apartment in Palermo, Buenos Aires, on January 1, injuring five people, including a 70-year-old man with burns over 75% of his body.
The incident took place on the fifth floor of a building at Alte. Francisco Seguí 1191, between Gaona and Coronel Apolinario Figueroa avenues, in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Reports indicate the fire started in a fan due to a short-circuit and spread to other areas of the apartment.
Five people were affected: four men and one woman, all adults. The most seriously injured is a 70-year-old man who suffered burns over 75% of his body and was urgently transferred to Hospital Álvarez by the SAME emergency service. The other four individuals also received medical attention for fire-related injuries.
Firefighters managed to control the flames and evacuated neighbors from the affected floor to prevent smoke inhalation. No mass evacuations or deaths were reported. The Justice system is investigating the exact origin of the fire and the circumstances leading to the elderly man's severe injuries, though the initial focus points to the fan.
This event highlights the risks of electrical failures in homes during summer, when the use of devices like fans increases.
