A major fire broke out at a scrapyard in San Bartolomé, sending a column of thick, black smoke into the sky that quickly alerted nearby residents. Despite the scale of the incident, no injuries have been reported.
The fire started along the Orihuela–Almoradí road and prompted a rapid response from fire crews based in both municipalities. The incident occurred just 400 meters from the Vega Baja Regional Hospital in San Bartolomé, a district of Orihuela.
Firefighters are continuing efforts this Saturday to extinguish the blaze at Desguaces Mora, a scrapyard located near the CV-91 road. The Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium received the emergency call at 3:52 p.m., and operations remain ongoing.
The facility, situated close to the Vega Baja hospital, has experienced fires in the past. On this occasion, the blaze originated within the scrapyard grounds, specifically in the outdoor storage area rather than inside the main building. Due to the initial intensity of the fire, multiple units from the Almoradí and Orihuela fire stations were deployed, along with the Southern Area duty officer.
A thick plume of smoke was visible from various parts of the Vega Baja region, causing concern among residents and motorists. Given the proximity to municipal boundaries, Civil Guard officers from Jacarilla and local police from Benejúzar and Orihuela were also dispatched to the scene.
The fire broke out in an area used for storing and processing vehicles, raising concerns about potentially hazardous materials. Emergency teams worked to identify nearby hydrants to ensure a steady water supply for firefighting operations.
According to fire officials, the situation has since improved following the initial response. Efforts are now focused on fully containing the fire, preventing its spread, and avoiding any possible reignition.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and crews continue to work at the Desguaces Mora site.
