Hundreds of firefighters have been working tirelessly for a second consecutive day to control a massive fire that has engulfed several buildings in the historic Barrios Altos district of Lima, Peru. The fire, which broke out on Monday, started in an unpermitted warehouse in a building and quickly spread to neighboring structures, causing four buildings to collapse, according to fire service reports and local media.

The fire’s persistence is exacerbated by a shortage of water hydrants in the area, leading city fire chief Carlos Malpica to warn that the fire could continue burning until Sunday. "We are running out of time to save the houses," said Malpica, as firefighters struggle to contain the flames.

As the fire rages on, residents of the affected buildings have been forced to evacuate, many fleeing with personal belongings such as fridges, chairs, and mattresses. Though no deaths or injuries have been reported, the blaze has caused significant property damage, with municipal official Mario Casaretto confirming that a dozen families have been affected.

"The situation is dire. There are warehouses all around us," said Zulli Cabanillas, one of the evacuees. "We are doing everything we can to save our homes."

Authorities have urged residents to wear masks due to the toxic smoke that has spread throughout the area, with visible plumes drifting several kilometers away.

Firefighters, lacking enough access to water through hydrants, have resorted to inflatable tanks filled by water tankers, but Malpica stated that this effort is still insufficient to fight the massive blaze. According to the municipality, the building where the fire started, along with others in the vicinity, had been converted into warehouses without the proper permits, further complicating firefighting efforts.

Efforts to control the fire continue, with firefighters working around the clock to prevent it from spreading further through Lima's historic heart.