In the early hours of Wednesday, A fierce fire destroyed the roof and several classrooms of the Doctora Carmen Romero Beltrán Schoollocated in the town of Las Herasin the province of Mendoza. The fire surprised the educational community and generated rapid mobilization of emergency services, while authorities seek to guarantee the start of classes in the midst of reconstruction.
A neighbor detected the flames and alerted 911 around 4 in the morning. At that time, the fire had already taken part of the structure of the Carmen Romero Beltrán Doctoral School No. 6044located at the intersection of streets Democracy and Monteagudoin the 30 de Octubre neighborhood of Las Herasdistrict of The Plumerillo. Witnesses described a desolate panorama: columns of smoke could be seen from several blocks and fear spread throughout the neighborhood.
According to what was reported by the local media MDZolthe flames advanced over the entrance sector, the central gallery and several classrooms of the establishment. The fire consumed the roof, doors, polycarbonate windows and the electrical installation. Images released show the entrance blackened by soot, bars marked by fire and remains of charred materials inside the building. In the words of director Laura Garro, “the entire electrical part is gone”, which will force important work to be carried out before resuming normal activity..
Director Garro reported that the fire “It apparently started around 2 in the morning.” and it was thanks to the intervention of the neighbors that firefighters and police arrived in time to prevent even greater damage. “That is why a large part of the building has been saved”he expressed, who also clarified that so far he has not been able to talk with the firefighters to specify the origin of the incident. The first observations point to a fire that would have started outside the building, although the director avoided speculation while the investigation progressed.
The fire destroyed part of the furniture, the front and the roof of the school, melting fans and leaving visible damage in several classrooms. Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Schools (DGE) reported that a damage survey would be carried out in the morning with personnel from the Infrastructure Directorate. The objective is to determine the extent of the losses and establish the steps to follow for the recovery of the establishment.
The main concern falls on the impact on school activity. The Carmen Romero Beltrán School It serves a double function, as it houses the Work Training Center (CCT) and the Basic Education Center for Youth and Adults (CEBJA), which expands the number and diversity of people affected. The fire puts an educational community in trouble that, every year, prepares to receive students of different ages and backgrounds.
From the Directorate of Technical Education and Work, Claudio Dagne He assured in dialogue with Mdzol that the start of classes is guaranteed. Dagne explained that the affected area will be sectorized and a parallel entrance will be enabled so that students and teachers can attend safely.
“In a week this has to be in condition to be able to receive the students”stated the official, who confirmed that they are already working with School Infrastructure and that a company will be hired for the electrical installation and replacement of the damaged roof covering.
The DGE emphasized the importance of recovering the security of the building so that no one is at risk. Meanwhile, teaching and administrative staff closely follow the cleaning, debris removal and repair tasks. The episode also revived concern about school infrastructure in the province and the need to have resources for a quick recovery in the face of unforeseen situations like this.
The educational community remains attentive to news about the progress of the expertise and repair works. The authorities insist that the school year will be able to begin on the scheduled date, although part of the building will remain out of use until the required work is completed. The priority, they emphasize, is that the return to classes takes place in safe conditions for all members of the school.
Images from the day after show ashes, blackened bars and partially destroyed classrooms, while technical crews work to return normality to the Carmen Romero Beltrán School. The next few days will be decisive in defining the pace of repairs and the resumption of activities, in a school year that will begin with the recent memory of a night marked by fire.
