SANTO DOMINGO - The warehouse that caught fire last Sunday, June 8, at the Merca Santo Domingo would have to be completely demolished, since the structure suffered significant damage, affecting 56 commercial premises and more than a thousand direct and indirect employees who worked there.
This was stated yesterday by Rafael Díaz Cueva, president of the market's merchants association, after considering that the losses are in the millions and have left dozens of owners and workers who depended directly on commercial activity in warehouse F-1, where the fire occurred, in a critical situation.
During a visit conducted by El Inmobiliario Upon inspection of the facilities, it was found that the building was consumed by fire in approximately 85%, showing great deterioration throughout the internal and front part where the fire originated and completely covering the structure.
The merchants' leader clarified that although an economic loss of approximately RD$800 million has been estimated, this figure is not yet finalized, as the count is based on the inventory. "We don't yet have the total loss figure because it's calculated using inventory. We can't say for sure how much the loss was; we have to wait," he emphasized.
The fire completely the warehouse used for selling dry goods such as rice, beans, sugar, and oil—essential staples sold primarily wholesale to supply hotels, grocery stores, and supermarkets. In total, approximately 56 businesses operated in the area, employing nearly a thousand people, in addition to the owners.
Although the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined, Díaz Cueva said they are waiting for diagnoses to know for sure what caused the structure to collapse.
Regarding the future of building F-1, the association president indicated that, if demolition is approved, it would be for reconstruction purposes, as it is a highly valuable commercial space for the affected merchants. "They are already being provided with temporary spaces that some of our members had in other areas of the Merca market, until the building where they worked can be rebuilt," he explained.
Diaz Cuevas highlighted the support they have received from the authorities from the very beginning, including the immediate presence of the Minister of Agriculture, as well as the visit of the Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza, representing President Luis Abinader. He also expressed his gratitude for the constant support of the general manager of Merca Santo Domingo, Tony Morillo, who, he affirmed, has remained steadfast on the side of the affected merchants.
Finally, he expressed his confidence that the authorities will provide a prompt response to begin the reconstruction of this vital space for the local and national economy.
Photo: Paola Solis/El Inmobiliario.
