Guatemala City fire

On March 25, fire tore through La Terminal market, the largest open-air market in Guatemala City, injuring at least nine people, destroying hundreds of stalls and causing $90 million in damage.

Reportedly started by a short circuit, the fire spread through the mostly wood-and-plastic stalls, fueled by gas cylinders that many vendors kept for cooking and heating. Firefighters worked for nine hours, stymied by a lack of water and by vendors who refused to leave their stalls.

The market covered six square city blocks and catered to tens of thousands of customers every day. Guatemala’s president promised financial support to rebuild it.