A major fire broke out last night in the northern part of Leganés, near the M-45 highway. The blaze engulfed an entire area with makeshift constructions that served as homes for dozens of people. In total, 13 such structures were burned down, of which 10 were inhabited. Despite the scale of the incident, no one was injured, but several families were left homeless.
The fire started around 3:30 am in a vacant lot in the Leganés Norte area. Six fire crews quickly responded to the scene. By the time they arrived, the flames had already spread across the area and were raging intensely. The firefighters’ top priority was to prevent the fire from reaching nearby buildings and adjacent lots.
The flames broke out in two homes at once, but because the houses were built with highly flammable materials, the fire quickly swept through the area. As a result, 13 structures were either completely destroyed or severely damaged. Fortunately, nobody was inside at the time, and no medical assistance was needed.
Evacuation and Support for Victims
Although there were no injuries, the fire left a severe impact on local residents. At least four people who lost their homes were temporarily accommodated by social services and the Red Cross. Other residents from affected structures also received support and guidance on their next steps.
Firefighters resumed their work at the scene the next morning, clearing debris and removing scorched structures using heavy machinery. By that time, the fire had been completely contained and there was no longer any threat to nearby buildings.
The problem of recurring fires in Leganés
What happened didn’t come as a surprise to local residents. In recent years, similar incidents have already occurred in Leganés. For example, in March last year, a fire destroyed several makeshift shelters in the Polígono Polvoranca area, near the San Nicasio district. On that occasion, the flames also spread rapidly due to the nature and location of the structures.
In 2024, another fire in a similar dwelling damaged nine vehicles and caused minor injuries to several people. These incidents raise concerns about the safety of living in such conditions and underscore the need to find solutions to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Response from authorities and next steps
After extinguishing the fire, specialists continued to inspect the area to ensure there were no remaining hotspots. Social services and Red Cross volunteers provided assistance to those left homeless, helping with temporary accommodation and document recovery.
Leganés authorities are once again facing the issue of makeshift settlements and their vulnerability to fires. The question of relocating residents from such dwellings and providing them with safe living conditions remains unresolved. Local residents and civic organizations are calling for more decisive action to prevent similar incidents and support those affected.
