In the Campanar district of Valencia, a year and a half has passed since the fire completely destroyed a residential building, leaving behind not only ruins but also deep scars in the lives of dozens of families. Back in February 2024, the tragedy claimed ten lives, and hundreds of people were left without a roof over their heads and their usual way of life. Today, six months after the start of large-scale reconstruction, the building is slowly coming back to life—and with it, the atmosphere of the entire neighborhood is changing.
A pilot apartment is already completed, revealing a first glimpse of what the renewed home will look like. Construction is progressing rapidly: builders are finishing internal partitions and installing water and power systems. There’s a mixture of hope and anxiety in the air as former residents, who lost everything, watch their home literally rise from the ashes.
Progress of the reconstruction
Reconstruction began in July, sixteen months after the disaster. The homeowners’ association commissioned the project, selecting a major construction company after a careful tender. The budget exceeds 20 million euros, with all expenses covered by the insurance provider. Work is scheduled to finish in seventeen to eighteen months, and so far, the timeline is being met.
At the end of September, a symbolic ceremony was held at the construction site: the laying of the “first stone” attended by local authorities, residents, and their relatives. For many, this was more than just a formality; it was a genuine act of hope for a return to normal life. Still, not everyone can forget that this very spot was once home to a building that became a trap for its residents.
Causes and consequences
The fire in Campanar became one of the most talked-about incidents in Valencia in recent years. The investigation lasted over a year, but in the end, the court concluded the tragedy was a result of circumstance, not malicious intent. The case was closed despite protests from some victims who tried to challenge the decision in higher courts. However, the appeals court also confirmed there was no criminal offense.
For many residents, this decision was a blow. The families of the victims do not hide their disappointment, though they acknowledge they must accept the verdict. The homeowners’ association decided not to pursue further legal action, focusing instead on rebuilding and returning to everyday life. Still, a sense of injustice lingers—and in conversations among neighbors, the topic of fairness continues to surface.
People and fates
The hardest hit were those who had already lost everything once. The building was home not only to local residents but also to refugees from Ukraine and Russia, who had fled the war and found temporary shelter here. For them, the fire became a second disaster in a short period. Once again, they lost everything they had managed to acquire, and now they are forced to start over from scratch.
In the first months after the tragedy, dozens of specialists worked at the site: clearing debris and removing tons of construction waste. Just this part of the process took five months and one and a half million euros. Another million was spent on developing the reconstruction project. The insurance companies covered all the expenses, allowing the process to move quickly and sparing the residents from any financial burden.
A new reality
Today, with a pilot apartment already completed and most systems nearly finished, residents are, for the first time in a long while, allowing themselves to dream of coming home. But with this hope also comes fear: could the tragedy happen again? Many are discussing how their lives will change when they return—and whether they’ll ever feel safe again.
Yet the mood at the construction site is more focused than mournful. People try not to dwell on the past, discussing the details of renovations and planning their housewarming parties. But in every conversation there is caution—the memories of that night when their familiar world collapsed remain far too raw.
Looking ahead
The restoration of the house in Campanare is more than just a construction project; it is an attempt to restore people’s faith in the future. There is no room for indifference here: every step, every new wall is the result of the efforts of dozens who refused to give up in the face of adversity. And while much work remains ahead, it is already clear that this house will become a symbol of resilience and hope for the entire neighborhood.
