Authorities say that a fire at Cabo Roig’s Bushwacka music bar caused heavy smoke damage on Friday morning when 2 fire crews from Torrevieja were called to the scene after heavy smoke was seen billowing out of the front of the five storey Aguamarina Aparthotel.
The fire was reported at 07.25, seemingly by a passerby, with the Policia Local quickly cordoning off the scene prior to the arrival of the bomberas at about 7.40hrs.
The source of the fire is thought to be electrical, emanating from the kitchen area, with speculation mainly surrounding the delivery of new refrigerators during the previous day.
Ger O’Shea, proprietor of the popular Bog Road pub, just half a dozen doors along from the Bushwacka, was asleep in his flat directly above the fire when he heard lots of banging outside. “Initially I thought it was kids messing around in the street below,” he said, “but when I caught a smell of the smoke I realised there was a problem and in view of recent occurrences in London, it didn’t take me too long to get out of my apartment.”
Fortunately the fire seems to have been contained to just one side of the building, directly below Block B of the Aguamarina Aparthotel, in which there are approximately 15 flats, of which only a handful were occupied at the time. It is thought that the Bushwacka’s triple layered roof may well have helped to contain the flames and stop them spreading into the flats above.
A spokesman for the Bomberas said that everyone was evacuated safely and there were no injuries to any of the occupants.
Firefighters remained on the scene for over four hours as having extinguished the flame, whilst they continued to work to ventilate the smoke that had leaked into the building and into the adjoining bank and Property Company, the fire reignited and had to be put out on a second occasion.
They said that there was extensive smoke damage both to the BMN bank and to Frontline Properties either side of the bar although O’Riordans and the bars and buildings beyond that all seem to have been spared. Similarly, many of the apartments above the Bushwacka had also been damaged by the spread of the thick black smoke.
When staff arrived at the BMN just after 8am the bank was also full of the fumes with the Bomberas having to deploy powerful fans to dissipate the stench. There was a similar situation at Frontline Properties with the owner doubting that that he would be able to open up his business during the course of the day. “The smell is awful. My staff cannot sit in the office and until all the fumes and the smoke have gone I won’t know if there are any problems with the office or the equipment,” he said.
Paul Bush, the proprietor of the Bushwacka, was eventually notified through Facebook by Ger O’Shea and a member of staff who had only finished her shift a couple of hours earlier. He was quickly on hand and escorted into the building by a fireman where he surveyed the damage.
With any investigation still ongoing the cause of the fire is currently undetermined but with the kitchen absolutely gutted and extensive smoke damage throughout the bar area it looks as though the Bushwacka could be closed for some time to come.
Speaking to Paul later in the day he remained utterly dejected as water continued to pour into his unit from damaged pipes and with Hidraqua seemingly unable to cut off the supply. Neither had there been any response from his insurers, although he was still hopeful that matters could be quickly resolved.
Clients who wish further information will be able to find news on the Bushwacka Facebook page where Paul has promised to provide regular updates.
