Haiti - FLASH : Fire at the West 1 Departmental Directorate in Champ de Mars
On the morning of March 19, 2026, a fire broke out at the West-1 Departmental Directorate (DDO-1) headquarters in downtown Port-au-Prince (Champ de Mars), causing panic and a temporary disruption to the directorate's operations. The Haitian National Police (PNH) confirmed material damage but no loss of life.
Upon being informed of the situation, Vladimir Paraison, the acting Commander-in-Chief of the PNH, immediately went to the scene to assess the extent of the damage and gather initial information regarding the cause of the fire, which remains undetermined. Following his visit, he instructed the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) to open a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire.
Paraison took the opportunity to warmly congratulate the Port-au-Prince firefighters for their responsiveness and efficiency, which allowed them to quickly contain the flames. Thanks to their rapid intervention, the Haitian National Police (PNH) reported no loss of life despite the material and infrastructure damage caused by the fire.
Meanwhile, DDO-1 officers continue to ensure security in the Champ-de-Mars area and its surroundings.
