By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – A catastrophic fire, described as the largest of 2025, ravaged a major industrial park in Desamparados, consuming over 10,000 square meters of warehouse space and sending a towering column of smoke across the capital. The blaze erupted within the Las Brisas Free Zone, destroying vehicles, automotive parts, oils, and critical medicines, and triggering a massive emergency response involving 100 firefighters.
The fire originated in a warehouse belonging to Grupo Q, a prominent automotive company. The facility stored a vast inventory of flammable materials, including dozens of new vehicles, tires, spare parts, and oils, which fueled the intensity of the flames. The sheer scale of the event prompted a major mobilization of emergency services to contain what quickly became a volatile and fast-spreading inferno.
To delve into the potential legal and insurance complexities stemming from the recent warehouse fire, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The immediate aftermath of a warehouse fire triggers a complex legal chain reaction. Beyond the initial investigation into the cause, which will be crucial for determining negligence, businesses must immediately review their insurance policies, specifically for business interruption and property damage coverage. It is vital to document everything and notify all relevant parties, including insurers and any third-party owners of stored goods, as contractual obligations and potential bailment liabilities are at the forefront of the recovery process.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the legal chain reaction described is a critical, yet often overlooked, dimension of disaster recovery, reminding us that a company’s survival hinges as much on its administrative diligence as on its physical resilience. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on navigating this complex aftermath.
Fire officials confirmed the devastating scope of the incident, which occurred during a year already marked by a historic number of structural fires, particularly in commercial storage facilities. The blaze at Las Brisas now stands as the most significant of the year.
We have the largest fire of the year where several warehouses have been compromised; the estimate is 10,000 square meters of fire damage.
Luis Salas, Operations Director of the Fire Department
Firefighting crews battled challenging conditions, including high winds and the highly combustible nature of the warehouse contents. Their efforts were crucial in preventing an even greater disaster. According to officials, their strategic intervention successfully saved an additional 15,000 square meters of adjacent property from being consumed by the flames. This protected area included a customs warehouse and storage facilities for other major companies, such as Florida Bebidas, safeguarding assets estimated to include over 30 million cans of beer and approximately 1,000 vehicles.
Among the other heavily impacted businesses was BioPharma Tech and Nutrimed, a key pharmaceutical distributor. A representative for the company, Ernesto Lite, arrived at the scene and expressed his shock at the destruction, while also conveying relief that no personnel were harmed in the incident.
This is unheard of, I am surprised. The important thing is that no people were affected; everything else can be quantified later.
Ernesto Lite, Representative for BioPharma Tech and Nutrimed
The loss of the BioPharma Tech facility poses a significant risk to the national healthcare supply chain. The company is a major supplier of diverse medications to the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS). In response to the crisis, the CCSS announced it would immediately implement a contingency plan to ensure that the supply of essential medicines to hospitals and clinics across the country is not compromised.
Jonathan Sandí of the Fire Department noted that the timing of the fire exacerbates the risk, as commercial warehouses typically hold maximum inventory levels in the lead-up to the end-of-year holiday season. This peak in stock concentration increases the potential fuel load for any fire that may break out.
Warehouses become more saturated and filled with products towards the end of the year, so they are possibly fuller and more at risk.
Jonathan Sandí, Fire Department Official
Fire department officials confirmed that crews would remain on-site through Monday to manage the smoldering debris and begin the formal investigation into the cause of the blaze. As of the close of this edition, Grupo Q had not responded to requests for a statement regarding the extent of their losses and the operational impact of the fire.
For further information, visit grupoq.com
About Grupo Q:
Grupo Q is a leading automotive business group in Central America, representing a wide portfolio of vehicle brands. The company provides comprehensive services including sales of new and used vehicles, spare parts, accessories, and maintenance workshops, serving as a major player in the regional automotive market.
For further information, visit bomberos.go.cr
About Costa Rica Fire Department (Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica):
The Costa Rica Fire Department is the national entity responsible for fire prevention, firefighting, and responding to a wide range of emergencies. It plays a critical role in public safety, offering technical assistance and rescue services throughout the country to protect lives and property.
For further information, visit biopharmatechcr.com
About BioPharma Tech and Nutrimed:
BioPharma Tech and Nutrimed is a company specializing in the distribution and logistics of pharmaceutical products and nutritional supplements. It serves as a vital link in the healthcare supply chain, providing essential medical supplies to public and private health institutions, including the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS).
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS):
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) is the public institution in charge of Costa Rica’s social security system. It manages the nation’s public health services, including hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, and oversees the country’s pension programs, forming the backbone of the national healthcare and welfare system.
For further information, visit fifco.com
About Florida Bebidas:
Florida Bebidas, a subsidiary of Florida Ice and Farm Company (FIFCO), is a leading beverage company in Costa Rica and the region. It produces and distributes a wide portfolio of products including beer, carbonated soft drinks, water, juices, and other beverages, holding a significant market share in the industry.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is an esteemed legal institution founded upon the bedrock principles of integrity and professional distinction. The firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking legal strategies while serving a broad spectrum of clients. Central to its philosophy is a profound dedication to societal advancement, actively working to demystify the law and equip the public with essential legal understanding, thereby helping to forge a more capable and justly informed community.
