Shopping at Plaza Puerto Paraíso felt routine until staff reported a gas smell. Sirens followed. Many shoppers didn’t know what was happening at first. Firefighters and municipal crews cleared the supermarket, then the whole complex. Hundreds waited outside as crews took measurements and traced the source. Officials later said the situation carried an “imminent” risk and ordered technical inspections. Where the leak began and what happens next for the store are now under review.
Evacuation at a central Cabo shopping destination
Emergency crews evacuated roughly 800 people from Plaza Puerto Paraíso in Cabo San Lucas on Sunday, January 25. Officials said a gas leak was reported inside a supermarket. Firefighters from the Cuerpo de Bomberos de Cabo San Lucas arrived after a citizen report and began safety protocols. Police helped clear the store and then moved shoppers and staff out of the wider mall. Nearby streets were briefly restricted to speed the evacuation and give crews space to work. Authorities said the evacuation was orderly, and no injuries were reported. For many residents and visitors, the plaza is a routine stop for groceries, banking, and errands. That familiarity made the sudden disruption feel especially jarring. The incident also landed during a busy weekend period in Los Cabos, when foot traffic can surge. Officials stressed the early decision to empty the building was precautionary. They wanted to reduce the risk of ignition while teams checked the air.
Leak traced to a supermarket bakery area
Municipal civil protection officials said inspectors traced the leak to the supermarket’s bakery area. The supermarket involved was identified as Chedraui Selecto, a major anchor for the plaza. Gas lines there feed ovens and other cooking equipment. Francisco Cota Márquez, who leads the municipal civil protection and risk unit, said crews took measurements. The readings helped confirm how much gas had dispersed inside the building. He described an imminent risk of explosion before the leak was controlled. Fire crews ventilated and secured the area while continuing to monitor air levels. The Secretary General of Los Cabos, Alberto Rentería Santana, also went to the site to review the response. Once readings stabilized, authorities said they would document the incident and apply the required administrative steps. That process can include fines and a partial closure of the affected business. A technical inspection continued after the emergency phase, aimed at confirming the cause and preventing a repeat.
What happens next for shoppers
Authorities said the wider plaza could continue operating once the immediate danger passed, even as the supermarket faced a temporary shutdown. In the initial response, officials said the first citizen report came early in the morning. Firefighters received the emergency call at 11:03 am, and the evacuation followed soon after. Some areas, including parts of the parking lot, were restricted while crews completed checks. Officials said vehicle retrieval would be supervised to prevent crowding near the sealed zone. For expats and long-term residents, the incident is a reminder of how quickly errands can change. If you ever smell gas in a store or building, the safest move is to leave immediately and alert staff. Avoid open flames, and don’t create sparks by flipping switches if the odor is strong. In Mexico, dialing 911 connects you to emergency services, and responders can guide the next steps. Officials said they will review safety compliance at the site before fully reopening affected areas.
With information from BCS Noticias, Rostros y Perfiles, Peninsular Digital, 624 Noticias
