Several rockets exploded at ground level during the midnight fireworks show on the opening night of Fuenlabrada’s annual festivities, injuring four people and sparking small fires in La Pollina park. Emergency crews quickly contained the flames.
Instead of launching skyward, some fireworks detonated close to the crowd. The blasts startled people throughout the park, and witnesses said they could feel the shockwave more than a kilometer away. The show stopped immediately as emergency services moved in.
Information from the Ayuntamiento, some devices exploded almost as soon as they launched, setting dry grass alight and starting two or three small fires. Firefighters and police quickly put out the flames before they could spread. The area was secured within minutes. City officials are working with the fireworks contractor to find out what went wrong.
Medical staff at Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada treated four people: one hit by debris, two police officers with ear injuries, and another person who fell while running from the scene. None of the injuries was serious, and three of the four had already been discharged when Mayor Javier Ayala (PSOE) visited the hospital. Telecinco reported that Ayala offered municipal resources to help medical staff if needed. Local media, citing the mayor, confirmed that all injuries were minor and the situation was under control soon after the incident.
The city, local police, and the fireworks contractor have opened an investigation into the malfunction. In a statement on X, officials apologized for the abrupt end to the show and acknowledged the technical problem. Última Hora reported that several sources confirmed the number of people treated and other details of the incident. The municipality and contractor’s technical investigation is expected to provide more information about the cause.
The political response was swift. Vox Fuenlabrada called for full transparency, demanding details about what happened and how officials would prevent a repeat. The party also wished those affected a quick recovery and stressed the need for accountability in public safety.
The incident happened on the opening night of Fuenlabrada’s festivities, which run from 11 to 17 September and include concerts by M-Clan, El Drogas, Los Delinqüentes, Los Chunguitos, Celtas Cortos, Juicy Bae, and Hoke. Despite the disruption, the rest of the program is expected to go ahead, with extra attention to safety.
Spain has seen other fires at public events in recent years, including a fire at a recycling plant near Zaragoza that required a major emergency response. Such incidents point to the risks of large gatherings and fireworks, especially in dry late-summer weather.
Crews quickly dealt with the immediate danger in Fuenlabrada, but the incident raises questions about event safety and the need for strict technical checks. Emergency teams acted fast and prevented a worse outcome. Local officials and contractors now face pressure to explain what happened and restore public trust before the next big event. In Spain, where festivals are basic to community life, failures like this test the relationship between residents and those responsible for their safety.
