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Local officials emphasized that the tragedy highlights longstanding vulnerabilities in hillside communities like Pamplona Alta. Many of these neighborhoods developed through informal settlement, without proper zoning, firebreaks, or access to essential emergency infrastructure. Over time, homes were built closer together, often using whatever materials were available, creating conditions where a single spark can escalate into a large-scale disaster.
Emergency shelters were quickly established in nearby schools and community centers to accommodate displaced residents. Aid organizations and municipal authorities began distributing food, water, blankets, and basic supplies, but the need far exceeds what has been immediately available. Many families have lost everything—homes, furniture, clothing, documents, and years of personal history reduced to ash.
Residents, meanwhile, expressed a mix of shock, grief, and frustration. Some said they had long warned authorities about unsafe conditions and the presence of illegal activities in the area. Others spoke of the fear that now lingers, knowing how quickly their community can be consumed by disaster.
Firefighters reiterated the urgent need for improved prevention measures, including stricter enforcement against illegal workshops, safer construction practices, and better access routes for emergency vehicles. They also warned that similar neighborhoods across Lima face the same risks, particularly during dry and windy conditions.
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