HERMOSILLO.- State authorities ordered the temporary closure of Waldo’s stores located in Sonoraafter fire occurred in one of its branches in Hermosillo, where 23 people died and 12 more were injured.
The Secretary of Government, Adolfo Salazar Razoreported that the decision was made after detecting that the damaged store didn’t count with a authorized internal program of Civil Protection since 2021an essential document to operate legally and safely.
“In 2021, already in this administration, the internal Civil Protection program was concluded in a negative sense. Each of the procedures and permits is under review and analysis, and is part of the Prosecutor’s Office investigation,” Salazar Razo said during a press conference.
According to the official, the owner of the company was instructed to close all establishments in the entity to carry out an exhaustive review of compliance with safety standards in coordination with the municipal governments.
“You were instructed to close each of the 68 facilities in the state to begin a thorough review to guarantee the safety of the people,” the secretary said.
The state authority seeks to confirm that no store represents a risk to citizens before allowing its reopening.
The Waldo’s store that caught fire yesterday and caused the death of 23 people and injured 12 more, did not have an authorized Civil Protection program since 2021, revealed Adolfo Salazar Razo, Secretary of Government.
“2021 already in this administration concluded in a… pic.twitter.com/1BlstekKzB
— EL IMPARCIAL (@elimparcialcom) November 2, 2025
History of non-compliance at Waldo’s stores in Sonora
Salazar Razo explained that in 2019 the company obtained its first internal Civil Protection program authorized by the previous administration, and in 2020 it was revalidated.
However, during a new review in 2021, already with the current government, it was determined that it did not meet the necessary requirements. Despite this, the Hermosillo branch continued operating until the accident that occurred this weekend.
At the conference, where the State Attorney General of Justice, Gustavo Rómulo Salas, and municipal officials were present, progress was made in the investigations into the explosion that occurred inside the store around 3:06 p.m. on Saturday, November 1.
There, the hypothesis of the explosion of a transformer was reiterated, which it was emphasized belongs to the commercial establishment.
The State Attorney General’s Office keeps investigations open to determine the corresponding criminal and administrative responsibilities.
READ: Fire in Hermosillo store: Waldos promises support to families of victims