Fire at Tijuana’s Hotel Catalina

On the morning of July 3, a fire raced through a room on the top floor of Tijuana's Hotel Catalina hotel, located on the corner of 5th (Zapata) and Madero, a block away from Avenida Revolución in the Zona Centro.

The fire broke out at around 8 a.m. and drew firefighting units from stations in the surrounding area. Around eight units arrived on the scene with some 25 firefighters. Police cordoned off several blocks along the affected streets as hook-and-ladder trucks, spraying water, left the area wet.

Guests, some clutching backpacks and luggage, were evacuated and watched and waited on 5th Street. Firefighters managed to control the blaze rapidly, although thick, black smoke poured from an upper-story window.

An ambulance on the scene awaited potential victims, but apparently no one was injured. The cause of the blaze was unknown.

The three-story hotel has long been considered a favorite for foreign visitors, due to its proximity to Revolución, the Calle Sexta bar scene, and other TJ tourist attractions.