Mexico Store Fire Kills 23 Including 6 Children in Hermosillo

By Manisha Sahu | America News World | November 2, 2025

HERMOSILLO, MEXICO — A massive fire at a discount retail store in northwestern Mexico’s Sonora state has left at least 23 people dead, including six children, and injured 11 others, officials confirmed on Saturday night. The blaze broke out at a branch of Waldo’s, a popular discount chain store, located in the heart of Hermosillo, the state capital.

Authorities described the inferno as one of the deadliest accidents in the region in recent years, leaving the community of Hermosillo in shock and mourning. Rescue teams, firefighters, and volunteers worked through the night to retrieve victims and control the smoldering remains of the building.

Governor Confirms Tragic Toll

In a video statement released on social media, Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo confirmed the scale of the tragedy. “This incident has left a deep sadness among all the people of Sonora,” he said, adding that emergency response units and medical staff were deployed immediately to the site.

Governor Durazo said that the fire started inside the store’s main floor on Saturday afternoon when customers were shopping. Within minutes, thick black smoke engulfed the aisles, trapping shoppers and employees inside.

According to local broadcaster Uniradio Sonora, Carlos Freaner, president of the Mexican Red Cross, reported that among the 23 victims were 12 women, five men, four boys, and two girls. Many of the victims died from smoke inhalation before firefighters could reach them.

The Scene of Devastation

Witnesses described scenes of panic as flames spread rapidly through the aisles of the store, which sells a range of low-cost household goods, toys, and snacks. Several customers tried to escape through emergency exits, but thick smoke and debris made visibility nearly impossible.

Videos circulating on Mexican social media platforms showed heavy smoke billowing from the store as firefighters battled to contain the flames. Eyewitnesses said the fire appeared to have started near the rear storage section, where plastic and paper packaging materials were stored — substances that likely fueled the rapid spread of the blaze.

“I saw people screaming and running toward the doors, but there was so much smoke,” said a nearby shopkeeper who witnessed the chaos. “The firefighters arrived quickly, but the fire was already too strong.”

Cause of the Fire Under Investigation

Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire. The Sonora Public Security Secretariat said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that there was no evidence of arson or deliberate foul play at this stage. However, investigators are exploring whether the blaze may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit or a faulty air-conditioning unit.

Governor Durazo confirmed that forensic teams and fire investigators are examining the charred remains of the building for clues. “We will ensure that this investigation is transparent and that accountability is established if negligence is found,” he said.

The state’s Attorney General’s Office has also launched an independent inquiry, requesting Waldo’s corporate management to provide maintenance and safety inspection records for the branch.

President Sheinbaum Responds

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences to the victims’ families and pledged full government support.

“My heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives,” President Sheinbaum wrote on X. “I have instructed Interior Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez to coordinate a support team to assist the families of the victims and ensure medical care for the injured.”



The president’s message has been widely shared, with citizens across Mexico calling for stricter enforcement of fire safety measures in commercial establishments.

Emergency Response and Heroic Efforts

Local authorities praised the quick response of firefighters, paramedics, and Red Cross volunteers who managed to rescue several people from the store before the flames reached full intensity.

According to emergency officials, eleven survivors suffered burns and smoke inhalation injuries and were transported to hospitals across Hermosillo. Two remain in critical condition.

“The coordination among emergency units was immediate, but the fire spread unusually fast,” said Hermosillo Mayor Antonio Astiazarán, who visited the site late Saturday. “We are providing all necessary assistance to the families who lost loved ones.”

Eyewitness accounts suggest that many victims were families shopping together for weekend deals. “It was a busy Saturday,” said one survivor interviewed by local TV. “There were many children inside because of the toy section. Suddenly, everything went dark, and we couldn’t breathe.”

Mourning Across Sonora

As news of the tragedy spread, residents gathered outside the burnt store to light candles and leave flowers. Local churches held special prayers for the victims, and Sonora’s state flag was flown at half-mast.

Governor Durazo declared three days of mourning across Sonora. “We share the pain of the families who lost their loved ones,” he said in an official decree.

Meanwhile, Waldo’s corporate office issued a statement expressing its “deep regret” over the incident. The company said it was cooperating fully with investigators and would provide financial support to the victims’ families.

Past Safety Concerns

The incident has reignited debate about fire safety standards in Mexico’s retail and public spaces. Firefighters’ unions and safety advocates have long criticized lax enforcement of building codes, poor emergency exits, and inadequate fire prevention systems in many older retail outlets.

Experts pointed out that many Waldo’s branches occupy converted buildings that were not originally designed for large crowds. “If fire exits are blocked or alarms malfunction, tragedies like this can become inevitable,” said Luis Ortega, a fire safety consultant in Mexico City.

Community Support and Recovery Efforts

Local non-profit organizations have launched donation drives for the victims’ families. The Mexican Red Cross Sonora Chapter has opened a hotline for people seeking missing relatives and coordinating relief for those hospitalized.

Hospitals in Hermosillo have appealed for blood donations as doctors continue to treat the injured.

Mayor Astiazarán said the city would assist with funeral arrangements and counseling for survivors. “Our community is heartbroken,” he said. “But together, we will heal and rebuild.”

Looking Ahead

As the investigation continues, many in Sonora are demanding answers — and accountability. Families of victims have urged authorities to ensure that such negligence never repeats.

For now, Hermosillo mourns in silence — its skyline marked by the blackened shell of what was once a bustling store, now a grim reminder of lives lost too soon.