The fire erupted Thursday, 14 February 2019 around 11am at the Puerto Plata city Brugal warehouse located on the Puerto Plata-Cofresí highway. The blaze was under control late on Friday, 15 February 2019. It took more than a day for firemen to control the flames that engulfed several barrels of precious aging rum at the Brugal & Co. warehouse. As reported, two Air Force helicopters were used to drop seawater on the fire. Firefighters and equipment from as far away as Santiago and La Vega were sent to help the Puerto Plata firemen. Nine firemen suffered burns and respiratory problems.
The director of the Center for Emergency Operations (COE), General Juan Manuel Méndez traveled to Puerto Plata to help with the coordination efforts. Civil Defense, the 911 Emergency System, Army, and Traffic Agency (Digesett) were on site to also participate in the efforts and assist with traffic in the affected area.
The president of Casa Brugal, Augusto Ramírez thanked government and community for the support. He told reporters that all of the employees were evacuated safely. He said that losses were going to be in the millions. He said that at the time of the fire, there were some 17,000 barrels of rum on site undergoing the aging process.
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Diario Libre
Puerto Plata Digital
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
18 February 2019
