In the early hours of Wednesday, residents of Colmenar Viejo found themselves in the midst of an emergency: a fierce fire suddenly broke out in an underground parking garage on Talgo Street. The blaze engulfed two vehicles on the second underground level, and within minutes, thick smoke began to fill the area. Ten fire crews rushed to the scene to prevent the flames from spreading to other cars and to avert a major disaster.
The garage serves seven apartment buildings, so due to the risk of fire and smoke spreading, all residents had to be evacuated—112 apartments in total, with around 150 people out on the street. Awakened in the middle of the night, many sought refuge from the cold in their own cars or in emergency vehicles while firefighters fought the blaze.
Once the fire was fully extinguished, specialists thoroughly inspected every area for dangerous levels of smoke. Only after confirming it was safe were residents allowed to return home. Six people received medical assistance: five suffered mild smoke inhalation, and one experienced a spike in blood sugar. None required hospitalization; all were treated at the scene.
Another fire in San Martín de la Vega
While Colmenar Viejo was dealing with the aftermath of the overnight emergency, another major fire broke out in San Martín de la Vega. This time, the blaze erupted at a race track—flames engulfed several vehicles on the premises of a local auto repair shop. Fifteen fire crews rushed to the scene and are still battling the flames.
A thick column of smoke rose over the area, but fortunately, residential neighborhoods were not affected. As a precaution, employees of several nearby businesses were evacuated, while others temporarily sheltered inside. Medical teams were on standby at the scene, but, fortunately, there were no injuries.
Aftermath and Safety Measures
Both incidents revealed how rapidly an emergency can escalate, even in familiar places—whether a residential building or an industrial zone. Thanks to the swift response of firefighters and coordinated efforts by emergency services, serious consequences and casualties were avoided. Residents of Colmenar Viejo and San Martín de la Vega have already returned to their daily routines, but the memory of that anxious night will serve as a lasting reminder of the importance of safety measures.
