PARAGUAY – Lightning Triggers Major Fire at Alcohol Plant in Pastoreo
A major fire broke out at the facilities of Alcotec SA at approximately 9:00 p.m. on Sunday. The industrial plant is located in the Santa Rosa area of the Juan Manuel Frutos district.
According to local media reports, the incident occurred during a thunderstorm when lightning struck one of the facility’s alcohol storage tanks. The impact reportedly triggered a fire that subsequently spread to the plant’s distillation columns.
Images circulating from the scene revealed the scale of the blaze, with flames intensifying due to the highly combustible nature of the alcohol. Firefighters continued battling the incident into Monday morning, with efforts to bring it under control proving particularly challenging.
At least seven volunteer fire departments mobilized personnel and equipment to assist with the emergency response. Teams from Pastoreo, Campo 9, Caaguazú, Coronel Oviedo, and Villarrica were among those dispatched to the facility.
Fire crews encountered significant obstacles because of the hazardous and highly flammable materials involved. Specialized chemical foam was needed to help suppress the flames and prevent the fire from spreading further.
Although no deaths or injuries were reported inside the industrial facility, a separate fatal incident occurred during the emergency response. Firefighter Jorge Luis Leite, 35, died after the vehicle he was travelling in overturned while he was heading to the scene.
Photo credit: Victor Daniel Barrera. All rights reserved.