Repairing damge by fire of supermarket in Asuncion, Paraguay August 1, 2004. It was about 11:30 in the morning of Sunday, a peak business hour. The store was full and the restaurant was filling up quickly. Suddenly a fire started in the kitchen. People started running to escape the fire. According to reliable information, the management of the store underestimated the fire and feared looting, so they ordered that all doors be closed. Trying to flee, customers discovered to their dismay that emergency exits had been welded shut for fear of robbing. As fire raged out of control, thousands were trapped in an inferno of fire and smoke. After some time, people were able to break open the thick glass front doors (picture) and literally tore through a brick wall to escape.

The latest information is that over 230 people died in the fire. There are countless wounded, so many that the Paraguayan government has asked Brazil and Argentina to help treat people, because hospital facilities for burn victims are not enough in this country. There is intense mobilization to raise the necessary medicines and equipment to treat the wounded. Our participants’ cell phones are constantly displaying text messages about the needs and how to make contribution. Pastors, social workers, counselors and other professionals are being asked to provide services to the traumatized families in the neighborhood.