2016 will be remembered as one of the years with the largest number of fires in the country. So far this year has exceeded the figures for 2015, adding up 1.017 major losses.
The last victim was an elderly man who lost his life when a fire to cook tamales burned a cellar with wood at his home in San Nicolás de Cartago.
Out of the 17 fatal victims, 5 were minors and 12 were adults, according to a report by the fire department.
The holiday season is one of the most dangerous, as people use open fires to cook tamales and roast meats, and they use decorative electrical installations and even tree catch fire for not taking adequate security measures into account,”
explained Alexander Solís, from the body of Firefighters.
Authorities recommend special care with the windy weather that is forecast for the next day.