The morning in Toledo began with blaring sirens: a fierce fire suddenly broke out in a residential building on Avenida de Portugal. The flames quickly spread across the floors, and thick smoke filled the stairwells, cutting off many residents’ escape routes. As a result, two national police officers and a 52-year-old man were injured and taken to the University Hospital of the city.
Firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes. They had to work in conditions of poor visibility and extreme heat. According to eyewitnesses, some residents became trapped in their apartments and were unable to evacuate on their own due to the dense smoke rising through the stairwell. Rescuers decided to temporarily isolate people in their apartments to protect them from the smoke and flames.
A fiery trap
The first reports of the fire reached emergency services around nine in the morning. Just minutes later, fire crews and medical teams arrived at the building. On site, not only firefighters but also police and emergency medical personnel worked to assist the victims.
It was soon learned that an explosion may have occurred in the building, worsening the situation. The flames engulfed multiple floors, and smoke quickly spread throughout the stairwell. Those on the upper floors were forced to remain in their apartments, keeping doors and windows tightly shut to block the smoke.
Firefighters, equipped with special protective gear, began evacuating residents. Some were led out via staircases, while others were rescued through windows using aerial ladders. Medical personnel on site provided first aid to those who inhaled smoke or were injured while trying to escape the danger zone.
Response efforts
The city’s mayor, Carlos Velázquez, personally arrived at the scene. He noted that despite the intensity of the fire, casualties were avoided. According to him, the actions of firefighters and police were coordinated and professional, which helped minimize the impact of the incident.
Authorities have temporarily restricted access to the building so that experts can assess the extent of the damage and determine the cause of the fire. Specialists remain on site to investigate the source of the blaze and to confirm whether an explosion actually occurred.
Residents unable to leave their apartments on their own were provided with personal protective equipment and remained under the supervision of rescue workers until the fire was fully extinguished. For several hours, firefighters battled the flames, preventing them from spreading to neighboring buildings.
Causes and consequences
The official cause of the incident has not yet been announced. Police and firefighters are conducting a thorough investigation to determine what exactly triggered such a large-scale fire. Possible causes include technical malfunction or careless handling of fire, but final conclusions will be made after the expert assessment is complete.
The mayor expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the rescue operation, including ordinary residents who did not stand by and helped evacuate their neighbors. Some of them, risking their own safety, rushed to help when they heard the explosion and saw the flames.
The injured were quickly taken to the hospital, where they received the necessary medical care. According to preliminary reports, their lives are not in danger, but they remain under medical supervision.
City’s response
The incident sparked wide concern among the residents of Toledo. Many people have expressed worries about fire safety in the city’s residential buildings. Authorities have promised additional inspections and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The fire in the apartment building on Avenida Portugal was a serious test for emergency services and residents. Thanks to the swift response of rescuers, tragedy was averted, although the full impact of the fire is still being assessed. The investigation is ongoing, and residents hope to return to their homes as soon as possible.
