The blaze began around 11 a.m. after a 911 call reported a fire at the warehouse facility in the San Rafael district.

Initial reports suggest the fire may have started in a section of the vehicle oil warehouse, where at least 1,000 barrels of flammable chemicals and other storage materials were kept.

According to Luis Fernando Salas, director of the operation, firefighters worked nearly seven hours before stopping the fire’s advance. As of 7 p.m. Sunday, crews were still working to fully extinguish the flames in a warehouse containing oil drums. An estimated 1,000 drums of motor oil were stored in the building.

“We are focused on extinguishing the core of the fire using two aerial ladder units positioned at different locations,” Salas said. “The fire also affected part of a pharmaceutical warehouse located in the same building. We hope to have the entire fire-affected area fully extinguished by Monday morning.”

The Fire Department said more than 100 firefighters and 25 fire trucks, including two aerial ladder units, were dispatched to the scene.

By early Monday, firefighters had been working more than 18 consecutive hours to suppress the blaze, which destroyed the factory’s entire structure, measuring more than 10,000 square meters (about 107,000 square feet). Experts estimate this is the most significant fire emergency of the year.

To ensure public safety, at least 10 traffic units were deployed to close roads and redirect vehicles in the area. Additionally, 30 police officers evacuated people from nearby buildings, including schools, restaurants, homes and clinics.

Six Red Cross units were also sent to assist people affected by smoke inhalation or allergies. No cases of smoke-related illness had been reported by publication time.

Firefighters and specialized investigators are expected to conduct a systematic examination of the site once the flames are fully extinguished to determine the official cause and origin of the fire.

The Fire Department also issued several safety recommendations to help prevent industrial fires, including:

• Install fire suppression systems such as sprinklers, gas-based systems, or foam extinguishing systems.

• Store flammable materials, including chemicals and paints, in fire-resistant containers.

• Regularly inspect electrical wiring, outlets and equipment, and ensure all installations comply with fire codes.

• Enforce strict no-smoking policies near flammable materials and maintain designated smoking areas away from hazards.

• Keep fire exits clear, marked and accessible for quick evacuation.

• Maintain heat-producing equipment, such as machinery and ovens, to prevent overheating and consider automatic shut-off systems for high-temperature equipment.