A major fire erupted on Thursday morning at a plastic recycling company in the Murcian town of Fortuna, leading to a critical situation. The resulting toxic smoke cloud prompted authorities to issue an urgent warning, instructing residents to stay indoors. Fortunately, the incident did not cause any human casualties, but it resulted in significant material damage.
Major Blaze in Fortuna: Cause Unknown, Extensive Damage
The fire started at Materiales Reciclados S.L. in Fortuna’s industrial area at 9:02 AM. Initial reports indicated that bales of cling film were ablaze, facilitating the rapid spread. The presence of numerous flammable products generated an immense plume of smoke visible for several kilometers, casting a disturbing pall over the area. A total of six warehouses were affected, impacting an area of 18,000 square meters.
🔴 A petición de los compañeros del Consorcio de Extinción de Incendios de la Región de Murcia movilizamos 2 vehÃculos y 8 efectivos en el incendio industrial en #fortuna
— Bomberos Murcia (@BomberosMurcia) July 3, 2025
1 vehÃculo Autobomba Rural Pesada y un vehÃculo Nodriza con 12.000l de agua ya se encuentran trabajando. https://t.co/Kbes5DLsgL pic.twitter.com/y8Cznb5CU2
Rapid Response from Emergency Services: 70 Personnel Mobilized
Given the scale of the fire and the potential danger posed by the smoke cloud, a large contingent of emergency services was immediately mobilized. Regional President Fernando López Miras confirmed on his X account that 70 individuals were deployed, including 38 firefighters. Additionally, a helicopter from the General Directorate of Public Safety and Emergencies was dispatched, accompanied by a firefighting technician from the General Directorate of Natural Heritage and Climate Policy. The Murcia City Fire Extinction and Rescue Service also provided support with eight personnel, fire engines, and a mother vehicle.
esAlert Warning: Population Urged to Seek Shelter
To ensure the health and safety of citizens, Civil Protection issued an urgent esAlert message at 11:18 AM to all residents in the region. It instructed them not to go outside, to keep windows and doors tightly closed, and to avoid letting in outside air. Drivers were advised not to leave their vehicles and to move away from the danger zone with windows and air intakes closed. Fortunately, firefighters managed to bring the fire under control after 1:00 PM, but the aftermath of the toxic cloud remains an environmental challenge.
