By the time the flames were controlled, much of San Juan de Miraflores was destroyed. “Entire sections of San Juan de Miraflores lay in ruins,” as rows of hillside homes became “twisted metal, scorched wood, and drifting ash.”

Inside those homes were the basics of daily life. “Clothes, documents, savings, school notebooks, and family photographs—vanished in hours.” Many residents could only watch as firefighters searched through debris that had once been their homes.

The fire moved quickly through tightly packed structures, leaving little time to react. For many families, “everything they owned was lost at once,” with no chance to save belongings or recover anything afterward.

When the smoke cleared, the crisis deepened. Hundreds were left without shelter, “sleeping outdoors under donated blankets while waiting for food, water, and assistance.” Authorities say a hidden fireworks workshop worsened the disaster, causing explosions that sped up the destruction and raised serious safety concerns.

Now, investigators are trying to understand how such a dangerous operation existed among homes. For residents, however, survival comes first. Aid groups and neighbors are stepping in, sharing what little they have. Despite the devastation, “the community, though devastated, is leaning on solidarity and resilience” as it begins the long road to rebuilding.