Martín Cucalón, the Fire Chief of Guayaquil, highlighted significant safety concerns regarding the Multicomercio complex, pinpointing issues like poor storage practices and overall disarray as factors in a recent fire incident. The complex, which comprises commercial spaces and five towers, experienced a devastating fire that resulted in the collapse of two of the towers while three others were left structurally compromised. This compounded situation raised alarm about the safety practices in a building that was originally constructed for commercial purposes in 1987.

The structural integrity of the Multicomercio was severely affected by excessive thermal loads that caused metal columns to fail, leading to the catastrophic collapse of the towers. Cucalón noted that the complex had a unique design where the commercial area utilized a large base that was also intended for storage, topped by parking spaces and the towering structures. Firefighters have been closely monitoring the remaining towers with sensors, as there is a persistent risk of further collapses. The last recorded movement of these towers was around 2:00 AM, indicating precariousness and the need for ongoing vigilance.

The incident poses significant implications for building safety regulations in Ecuador, especially regarding older structures like the Multicomercio which may not be up to modern safety standards. The response from emergency services and the acknowledgment of these issues by the authorities may trigger a reevaluation of safety protocols in commercial buildings across the region to prevent similar tragedies in the future.