Barcelona, November 18 – A significant fire, preceded by an explosion, erupted in a shanty settlement located under the Bac de Roda bridge, at its intersection with Huelva Street, in Barcelona this morning. The incident, which required the deployment of ten fire brigades, left two people with minor injuries and completely destroyed six shanties. The area has seen previous fires, raising concerns about the safety of the informal settlement.
Emergency Response and Casualties
The fire was first reported early on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, prompting a rapid response from the Bombers de Barcelona. A total of ten fire brigades were dispatched to the scene, working to control the blaze which was described as burning with “great virulence.”
According to sources from the Barcelona City Council, two individuals sustained minor injuries. One of the injured was transported to Vall d’Hebron hospital for treatment, while the other was discharged at the scene after receiving immediate attention. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported.
Damage and Ongoing Operations
The fire resulted in the complete destruction of six shanties within the settlement. Firefighters continued to work on extinguishing the flames for several hours. The incident occurred in close proximity to the ongoing construction work for the La Sagrera station, though no impact on the construction site has been reported.
By 8:27 AM, traffic circulation on Bac de Roda was reported to be normalized, indicating that the immediate danger had been brought under control and emergency services were managing the scene effectively.
Traffic Disruptions and Public Concern
The fire caused considerable disruption to local traffic. The Guardia Urbana implemented road closures, affecting the Calatrava bridge and Espronceda Street, while the fire brigades conducted their operations. Additionally, several bus routes were diverted to bypass the affected area, leading to delays for commuters.
The incident has also reignited public debate and concern regarding the safety of informal settlements in the city. Daniel Sirera, a PP councilor in the Barcelona City Council, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration, stating: “I have been demanding the eviction of the shanty settlement on the Bac de Roda bridge, corner of Huelva Street, for months. Tonight there has been a serious fire, I hope without victims. How long will this neglect last? How many more warnings are needed? Enough of the PSC’s inaction.”
A Recurring Problem
This is not the first time a fire has broken out in this particular area. BTV, a local news outlet, recalled that a similar incident occurred in January of this year in a nearby plot owned by Adif, highlighting a recurring issue with fires in these informal settlements.
The current incident underscores the precarious living conditions within these settlements and the potential dangers they pose to residents and the surrounding urban environment. Authorities are expected to investigate the exact cause of the explosion and fire, which remains unknown at this time.
Images circulating on social media platforms show the intensity of the blaze, with flames engulfing the shanties and a thick plume of smoke rising into the sky.
Source: https://www.elperiodico.com/es/barcelona/20251118/explosion-incendio-bac-de-roda-ultima-hora-directo-123840459
