Paraguay supermarket fire

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The Paraguay supermarket fire was a disastrous fire that occurred on Sunday, August 1, 2004 in Asunción, Paraguay. The three-story Ycuá Bolaños supermarket and commercial complex, which included a restaurant, offices, and an underground parking garage, caught fire, causing two explosions on the first floor. The fire burned for seven hours before firefighters were able to extinguish it. Initially, it was reported that at least 275 people died, including numerous children.^[1] The final death toll is near 400. The cause was believed to be a faulty barbecue chimney that leaked hot flammable gases into the ceiling, which ignited.

Several survivors of the fire and volunteer firefighters alleged that, when the fire broke out, doors within the complex were deliberately closed and locked, trapping people inside, in order to prevent people from fleeing with merchandise without paying for it. The management of the shopping center denied the charge.^[2] The owner, his son and a security guard are in jail, pending conviction, accused of homicide.

Besides this, the complex lacked emergency exits. The architect of the complex and several public servants responsible for the overseeing of commercial buildings are being prosecuted.

On December 5, 2006 the owner of the supermarket, his son and the security guard were convicted of involuntary manslaughter with a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison. The prosecution however was seeking a 25-years-in-prison term. As the verdict was read angry survivors and family members of the deceased started a violent demonstration inside the court room, which later spread into the streets of Asunción. The prosecution is demanding a retrial. ^[3]