Firefighters from Torrevieja Park responded this morning around 8:15 a.m. to a fire at 80 Calle Ulpiano, a three-storey building that has been occupied by homeless individuals for over 15 years. Thick smoke billowed across the street and the surrounding area near the popular Playa del Cura.
Several occupants evacuated the property before emergency services arrived, but the majority remained inside despite requests from the Civil Guard and Local Police to leave as a precaution. Smoke continued to pour from a third-floor balcony, prompting the arrival of a Basic Life Support health unit. A Civil Guard officer was treated with oxygen for mild smoke inhalation symptoms.
Recurring Problem
This is the third fire in two and a half years at the building, located just meters from Playa del Cura. The previous incident in late June resulted in three injuries, one of whom required airlifting to Alicante Hospital’s burns unit. At that time, the helicopter used the Tintero esplanade as an improvised landing site.
Residents living on the same street, just 75 meters from one of Spain’s most renowned beaches, have long called on local authorities to resolve the ongoing issues posed by the deteriorating building. The property, which has become a refuge for homeless individuals, contains significant amounts of waste and other debris, often cited as the cause of these fires.
State of the Building
The building, constructed in 2006, has remained in a state of abandonment. Much of its facade is crumbling, with broken windows, rubble, and remnants of past fires visible from the adjacent Juan Aparicio promenade, one of Torrevieja’s busiest areas.
Initially intended as an 18-apartment residential block, the property was never fully completed and failed to obtain a first-occupancy license. Consequently, it lacked access to basic utilities such as water and electricity. Following the 2008 housing crisis, the apartments were rented at reduced rates, which led to irregular occupation. Court proceedings to evict tenants began in 2014, but eventually, the property owners abandoned efforts to recover the building.
Call for Action
For years, residents in the area have demanded a solution to address the problems caused by the building’s deteriorating condition and its irregular use as precarious housing. Its proximity to Torrevieja’s prime beach area highlights the urgency for intervention by local authorities.
