A strong explosion at a gas station in the municipality of Chalco, State of Mexico, alarmed neighbors and mobilized emergency services Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at around 05:30 when a blast at an LPG gas station caused a large-scale fire and was heard for several kilometers, generating panic among local residents. Injuries and material damage after the explosion According to initial reports from authorities and local media, at least one person was injured in the explosion and was taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention. In addition to the injured person, the shockwave caused material damage to businesses and establishments near the gas station, increasing the concern of merchants and neighbors in the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood. State of Mexico Civil Protection reported that the explosion also caused structural damage to at least three adjacent establishments and that emergency personnel performed maneuvers to control the fire and prevent a second detonation. Mobilization of authorities After the blast was reported, elements of state Civil Protection, firefighters, the Mexican Army, and the National Guard went to the scene to handle the emergency, control the fire, and cordon off the area to protect residents and workers. The column of smoke generated by the incident was visible from several points in the municipality and part of the conurbation area, which led residents to report the incident to emergency services and through social media in the first minutes after the event. What was the cause? Although authorities have not yet issued an official confirmation on the exact cause of the explosion, preliminary reports indicate it may have been the result of a gas buildup at the station, which triggered the blast registered at the gas station.
