A fire at a workshop on Vallès Street in Lleida caused the first floor of the building to collapse, leading to the evacuation of nine surrounding structures. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
A significant fire erupted late Sunday night at a workshop located on Vallès Street in Lleida, resulting in the collapse of the first floor of the affected building. The incident prompted emergency services to evacuate residents from nine nearby buildings as a precautionary measure.
The blaze was reported around 10:18 PM, and firefighters from the Generalitat de Catalunya responded swiftly. They managed to extinguish the flames during the night, but not before extensive damage occurred. The building has been declared ‘ruinous’ due to total fire impact.
According to reports from local authorities, there were no personal injuries linked to this incident. Most evacuated residents have since returned home safely. However, they faced a tense night as they awaited updates on their properties.
The rapid spread of the fire was attributed to an accumulation of materials within the workshop, which acted as fuel for the flames. Firefighters noted that high-intensity flames were visible in the courtyard area, complicating their efforts.
In total, nine buildings were evacuated: those directly adjacent at numbers 1, 3, 5 and 7 on Vallès Street; numbers 11, 13 and 15 on Corts Catalanes Street; and numbers 13 and 14 on Hospitalers de Sant Joan Street.
The firefighting operation involved 15 units from various fire stations across Lleida, including a specialized drone unit that assisted in assessing the situation from above. Additionally, two ambulances were dispatched by the Emergency Medical Service (SEM) as a precautionary measure.
The investigation into what sparked this intense fire is ongoing. The Mossos d’Esquadra are currently examining evidence and interviewing witnesses to determine how such a rapid escalation occurred.
This incident is reminiscent of past fires in urban workshops where inadequate safety measures led to similar outcomes. For instance, a notable case occurred in Barcelona five years ago when an industrial fire resulted in multiple evacuations but fortunately no casualties.
As recovery efforts continue throughout Monday morning, municipal architect teams have been activated for structural assessments of affected buildings. Residents are advised to stay clear of these areas until further notice while inspections are conducted.
For those living nearby or affected by this event seeking information about their properties or assistance with housing arrangements during repairs should contact local authorities or visit community centers set up for displaced residents.
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