Firefighters control blaze at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona with no injuries

A fire in the main building of the Institute of Research and Technology for Food (IRTA-CReSA) at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona was extinguished by firefighters at 17:45 on June 17. The incident, reported at 15:22, forced the evacuation of the research centre, but fortunately, no injuries were recorded.

Details of the incident and emergency response

Firefighters' sub-inspector, Montse Díaz, reported that the flames started outside the building, likely due to some nearby bushes. From there, the fire spread inside through a window and also affected an adjacent warehouse where straw was stored. Although the first building suffered partial damage, the adjacent warehouse was completely affected.

Díaz highlighted that a total of fifteen units worked to control three main fire sources. One was located in the first building housing offices and laboratories; another in the external warehouse where the straw was; and a third related to the smoke column generated by the incident. Despite the danger, the warehouses where animals are kept were unharmed.

Josep Usall, general director of IRTA, expressed relief in confirming that the biocontainment area was not affected by the flames. This was crucial as IRTA is known for its work in animal and agricultural biology, including research on viruses such as African swine fever. Usall celebrated that no animals lost their lives due to the fire or the smoke generated during the incident.

Despite the success in controlling the fire and protecting the animals, firefighters cannot yet fully guarantee their condition due to the circumstances of the blaze. The rapid response helped minimize material damage and preserve as much as possible the human and animal resources involved.

This event highlights the importance of having adequate measures to prevent wildfires and protect critical facilities such as research centres. Local authorities are reviewing protocols to improve safety in the face of similar incidents in the future.

The IRTA-CReSA, located in Cerdanyola del Vallès, is a national and international benchmark in agri-food research. Its mission includes ensuring sustainable practices while advancing vital scientific knowledge for animal and human health.