Malaga firefighters fight a massive fire at Le Grand Cafe
Credit: Encierro Bombero Mlg X
The fire started in Le Grand Cafe, directly below the Ibis Hotel at the beginning of Monday morning in central Malaga. It quickly spread throughout the entire building. Around 1.25am, emergency services were alerted after witnesses saw the fire on the lower levels of Calle Cerrojo.
Blaze origin and first response
Witnesses report seeing flames in the cafe on the ground floor shortly after 1 am. Crews from Malaga fire services, local police and national police Units quickly arrived at the site and started containment operations. In addition, the Andalucian emergency system sent its health services to the scene. However, they reported initially that no injuries had been reported.
Complete evacuation of hotel customers
Hotel staff and the emergency teams conducted a full evacuation of each floor. Over 100 guests safely left the hotel during the night. Some of the displaced guests moved into nearby Hotel Malaga Centro to temporarily stay. The entire building was evacuated as a precaution by fire crews while they battled the spreading smoke.
Firefighting challenges
Firefighters encountered major obstacles The hotel’s structure is a combination of iron beams, wooden elements and soundproofing material. The hotel structure allowed for hidden fires to continue burning, complicating efforts to reach the affected areas. The fire destroyed the Le Grand Cafe and the second floor of this hotel. The fire was brought under control after several hours of operations with multiple units.
Current situation and disruptions in the area
Police closed streets in the area and diverted the traffic. Residents reported a strong odor of smoke in nearby areas. Investigators are still examining the scene and haven’t yet determined what caused the fire. The burns of one man were treated in hospital, and minor injuries were treated on-site. There have been no fatalities.
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