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A devastating fire broke out late last night in a popular Italian restaurant in the central district of Salamanca, Madrid, claiming two lives and leaving ten others injured. The Spanish emergency services and firefighters acted swiftly to contain the blaze and rescue those trapped inside.
Rapid Spread of Flames
According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out after the waiter lit a dessert in a container, causing the flames to quickly ignite the ceiling and walls of the restaurant. The close proximity of the main exit to the source of the fire made it challenging for the guests to escape.
The victims are reported to be between the ages of 25 and 30, with six of the injured in serious condition and four suffering minor injuries. A diners, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Spanish daily Elmundo that the waiter "had the plate in flames in one hand and the blowtorch in the other.
He passed by a column with plants round it and in a matter of seconds it burned everything."
Incendio del restaurante @burrocanaglia en Manuel Becerra pic.twitter.com/Y9abUYQHev — José M Parra Quesada (@chemaparra1969) April 21, 2023
Prompt Response from Emergency Services
The emergency services co-ordinator Emergencies Madrid confirmed the tragedy in a statement: "A fire in a restaurant in Manuel Becerra Square has resulted in the deaths of two people.
Six people hurt have been taken to different hospitals in a serious condition. Four other people suffered minor injuries. Twelve firefighter crews have put out the fire that spread quickly across the restaurant ceiling. They also rescued several people, clients and employees." One of the customers, who managed to escape and reach the street as the fire was still raging, said: “Everyone began to shout and scream for help.
They were moments of panic because there were people trapped who couldn’t escape because of the fire and the smoke." The rapid response of the firefighters, who were stationed only a few hundred meters from the restaurant, was a crucial factor in containing the fire and preventing further casualties.
The Madrid fire chief, Carlos Marin, stated that people had run to the fire station to alert the fire crew. The mayor also acknowledged the fortunate timing of the alarm, stating: "If they’d taken another four or five minutes, there would have been more victims because of the flames and smoke."
Investigation Underway
The Spanish police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.
The tragedy has shocked the local community and serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety in public spaces. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims during this difficult time.
