Spanish 
Dutch 
French 
German 
Norwegian Bokmål 
Polish 
Swedish
A serious fire that broke out Monday morning at the intersection of Calle Victoria and Paraná in Orihuela Costa has left four homes severely damaged. The blaze began in a second-floor apartment and quickly spread to an adjacent unit, as well as two more apartments on the third floor.
Fire crews from Torrevieja and Orihuela were dispatched to the scene after the alarm was raised at 9:06 a.m. However, due to the significant distance from the incident, the flames had already taken hold by the time they arrived. Firefighters acted swiftly to control and contain the blaze, officially extinguishing it by 10:32 a.m.
he flames started in a second-floor building, later spreading to an adjacent property and two more on the third floor.
At least one of the affected homes was occupied, but thankfully, no injuries were reported. Nonetheless, emergency medical staff attended to residents suffering from anxiety and shock.
In response to this incident, the Consortium mobilized a command headquarters unit (UMH), a heavy urban fire department (BUP), a fire engine ladder truck, a sergeant, a corporal, and six firefighters from the Torrevieja and Orihuela fire stations.
This incident comes just days after a separate fire in Orihuela Costa, in which a vehicle was completely destroyed. That blaze was also handled by firefighters from outside the area, who managed to stop it from spreading to nearby greenery.
While the efforts of the fire crews have been widely praised, the response times have once again come under scrutiny. Local Residents Associations and Political Groups voiced concern over the delays caused by the long distances emergency vehicles must travel to reach the coastal zone, as they renewed their longstanding calls for the creation of a dedicated fire service based within Orihuela Costa.
Local advocates argue that the La Zenia Emergency Centre—originally conceived as a full-service facility—should house its own permanent fire crew.
Despite a growing population and an increasing number of emergencies, Orihuela Costa still depends on fire stations located in Orihuela city and Torrevieja, both of which are several kilometres away.
For years, residents and local organisations have demanded improved emergency infrastructure, particularly given the area’s year-round population and seasonal influx of tourists. With repeated incidents involving fires, medical emergencies, and road accidents, many now believe the situation has reached a critical point.
The lack of a dedicated local fire unit, they say, is no longer just a logistical oversight—it’s a risk to public safety. As frustration mounts, community leaders insist the question is no longer if Orihuela Costa needs its own fire service, but why it still doesn’t have one.
Images courtesy Alicante Fire Consortium
Spanish Dutch French German Norwegian Bokmål Polish Swedish
