A tragedy shook the tranquility of the Los Pinos neighborhood early Wednesday morning, when seven members of the same family were found dead inside their home. Authorities suspect the cause of death was accidental inhalation of household gas, raising concerns about home safety.
The bodies were found by a neighbor who, noticing the family’s unusual absence and a strong odor coming from inside the house, notified authorities. Upon entering, emergency crews found the victims in different rooms, with no signs of violence but already dead.
The family consisted of two elderly adults, a young couple, and three minors, ages 6 to 14. The scene was described as “devastating” by rescuers, who immediately cordoned off the area and began the necessary procedures.
“Everything indicates that it was a domestic gas leak, probably during the night, while they were sleeping. The accumulation of gas in enclosed spaces is extremely dangerous and can cause death without the victims realizing it,” explained Fire Chief Commander Luis Ortega.
Neighbors and friends couldn’t believe what had happened. “They were very dear people. They were always together, the children played in the street, and they greeted everyone. It’s a huge pain for all of us who knew them,” said one neighbor through tears.
Authorities have already launched a formal investigation to confirm the exact cause of death, although initial reports point to a possible malfunction in a gas heater. The building lacked gas detectors and proper ventilation, which may have contributed to the tragedy.
Home security experts have taken advantage of the unfortunate incident to issue an urgent call to the public: regularly check gas installations, avoid leaving appliances on overnight, and, above all, install carbon monoxide detectors in homes.
The local mayor’s office has declared three days of official mourning and pledged to provide psychological and financial support to surviving families, as well as to promote prevention campaigns and gas system inspections in the most vulnerable neighborhoods.
The funeral will be held this Friday at the municipal cemetery, where a large crowd of neighbors, family members, and schoolmates of the deceased children is expected.
This tragedy has left a profound mark on the entire community. Seven lives silently snuffed out, while they slept, by an invisible but real threat. Now more than ever, awareness and action are urgently needed to prevent events like this from happening again.
