Mexico: fire in a shop, at least 23 dead and dozens injured

Mexico City (Mexico), 2 Nov. (LaPresse/AP) – A fire and explosion in a convenience store in north-western Mexico killed at least 23 people, including children, and injured 12 others, according to state authorities. The fire occurred on Saturday in the centre of Hermosillo, capital of the state of Sonora, Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo said in a video posted on social media. Sonora Attorney General Gustavo Salas Chávez provided the death toll and said the injured were taken to six hospitals in Hermosillo. Salas Chávez said preliminary investigations showed the deaths were caused by ‘inhalation of toxic gases.’ At this time, we have no indication that leads us to believe the fire was intentional,” he said, noting that authorities have not ruled out any lines of investigation. Images circulating on social media show a huge fire engulfing Waldo’s store. One video shows a burned man collapsing on the pavement a few metres from the store’s entrance.