ITAGÜÍ, Colombia — A massive fire tore through a bicycle manufacturing facility in this industrial city near Medellín on Monday, drawing more than 80 firefighters from across the region as authorities worked to contain the blaze that officials said was now under control.
The fire broke out around midday on April 27, 2026, inside a warehouse located in the former Coltejer textile complex, according to local emergency officials. The facility housed a bicycle production company with large quantities of highly flammable materials, including fiberglass, tires, and wood, which complicated firefighting efforts.
Sebastián Moreno, a technician with Itagüí’s Disaster Risk Management Directorate, confirmed the fire was structural and required an immediate, large-scale response. “We have support from fire departments in Envigado, Sabaneta, Bello, Medellín, La Estrella, and Caldas, as well as our own city’s team,” Moreno said in an update to local media.
By early afternoon, officials reported the fire was approximately 70% contained, with no injuries or fatalities. The damage appeared limited to the facility’s infrastructure and stored materials. “We’ve managed to mitigate the spread, and at this point, the situation is under control with no risk to neighboring warehouses,” said Itagüí Mayor Diego Torres.
The incident disrupted traffic in the area, prompting the city to urge residents to use alternate routes even as crews worked to fully extinguish the flames. The Itagüí mayor’s office issued a statement thanking the regional fire departments for their rapid assistance. “With all our institutional capacity, we continue to address this emergency,” the statement read.
While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, the incident highlights the challenges of industrial safety in densely packed manufacturing zones. Itagüí, a key hub for Colombia’s bicycle industry, has seen rapid growth in production facilities in recent years, raising concerns about fire risks in older warehouse spaces.
Con todas nuestras capacidades institucionales continuamos atendiendo esta emergencia. Agradecemos a los cuerpos de bomberos de los distintos municipios del Área Metropolitana que nos prestan su apoyo. pic.twitter.com/XYZ123
— Alcaldía de Itagüí (@AlcaldiaItagui) April 27, 2026
Firefighters remained on scene into the late afternoon to monitor for flare-ups and ensure the fire did not reignite. The facility’s proximity to other industrial sites underscored the importance of the swift, coordinated response, officials said.
