The Fire Incident in Campanar District
A devastating fire broke out in the Campanar district, originating in a fourteen-storey building that houses 138 apartments. The cause of the fire, which started around 5:30 PM in a fourth-floor apartment, remains unknown. At the time, the wind was blowing fiercely, which further fueled the fire.
The Impact of the Fire
Images shared on social media showed the modern building ablaze from the ground floor up to the flat roof. The fire quickly reduced the building to a skeletal structure, as reported by Spanish public broadcaster TVE.
The Firefighting Operation
A total of 22 firefighting teams were dispatched to combat the fire, which was brought under control around 11 p.m.
The Aftermath
The latest reports indicate that at least fourteen people, aged between 9 and 81, were taken to the hospital. Among the injured are six firefighters, one of whom suffered a broken wrist, and another sustained burns all over his body.
The Escape
Residents of the building who were not able to flee immediately sought refuge on their balconies, waiting for the fire brigade to rescue them. They used wet towels to protect themselves from smoke inhalation and heat. Others jumped onto emergency mattresses that the fire brigade had inflated at the base of the building.
The Building’s Occupants
The apartment building is estimated to house around 450 people. However, this figure could be higher due to the potential presence of unregistered guests, according to the building’s manager, Adriana.
The Cause
David Higuera, a technical engineer and expert in building installations, spoke to El Pais about his belief that the cladding material used on the building contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. He explains that these are aluminum plates with synthetic insulation that is highly flammable. These plates are effective for heat and cold insulation, but in the event of a fire, they can facilitate quick fire propagation, which seems to be the case in the Campanar district fire.
The Investigation and Response
Investigations to ascertain the cause of the fire are expected to proceed in the coming days. Around 8 p.m., authorities set up a field hospital near the affected building. Additionally, the military emergency response unit, UME, was called in to assist in fighting the flames. The UME is typically deployed in large-scale forest fires.
A Wave of Solidarity
In the aftermath of the fire, a wave of solidarity has begun to ripple through the community. People are donating clothing and blankets as most residents have lost everything in the fire. A nearby hotel is providing temporary shelter to those who have been displaced by the fire.
The Fire Extinguishing
By 11 p.m., the fire was completely extinguished, and the building was released to fire experts to begin their investigations.
