San Juan de Miraflores, a densely populated district in southern Lima, experienced one of its most devastating fires in recent memory on Saturday afternoon. What began as a localized emergency quickly escalated into a widespread disaster, leaving hundreds of families displaced and an estimated 300 homes damaged or destroyed, according to evolving assessments by local authorities and emergency responders.
The fire broke out in the Pamplona Alta sector, an area characterized by steep hillsides and tightly clustered housing, much of it constructed with temporary or highly flammable materials. Within hours, flames spread across multiple blocks, overwhelming residents and testing the limits of emergency response infrastructure.
Although firefighters eventually brought the blaze under control, the damage left behind is extensive—and the emotional toll on residents is just beginning to surface.