The country pays tribute to the three La Vega firemen who died when trying to save lives and put out a major fire at the Casa Mora in La Vega. The city of La Vega called three days of mourning.
22-year old Olvis de Jesús Farías, 53-year old Juan María Concepción and 55-year old José Luis Mojica lost their lives when they were trapped inside the store when a section of the roof collapsed.
President Luis Abinader sent his condolences to the family. He also tweeted upon being informed of the death of the firemen: “So sad the loss of the lives of the three firemen in fulfillment of their duty putting out the fire in La Vega. My condolences to the family and peace to their souls.” He called the three men “national heroes.”
The mayor of La Vega Kelvin Cruz said that First Lady Raquel Arbaje has guaranteed the widows, the children and the parents of the three deceased firefighters that “they will lack for nothing.” He said the Dominican government is covering the expenses for the funeral, the housing and the pension for the families.
Hoy reports on the heroism of the firemen. The men received wages of RD$5,000 a month.
Colonel César Arturo Abréu, spokesmen for the firemen, said the fire occurred due to an internal electrical failure. The mayor attributed the fire to a short circuit in the store connection to its emergency plant. “The firefighters were protected with gloves, respirators, air, high pressure fire trucks; they were fully equipped,” he explained.
He reported that firefighters from the National District and 911 drone teams acted in the rescue, using the latest technology to detect heat with a technical drone and another high vision drone. “We had everything in our hands but we could not save their lives,” he said, saddened by the death of Major Juan María Concepción, Second Lieutenant Olvis Arias and Sergeant Major José Luis Mojica. The victims resided in Villa Rosa, Atico and La Carmelita in La Vega province and were buried yesterday afternoon.
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29 October 2021