Abandoned House Catches Fire in Sangueta

A fire in one of the abandoned houses in the Sangueta area, in Alicante, has caused thick smoke visible from various parts of the city. Around 4:30 PM, residents began to notice a column of grey smoke rising from one of the semi-abandoned buildings.

In this area, located between the beach and the slopes of Mount Benacantil, there are several dilapidated low houses languishing among the undergrowth. A fire truck and several local police officers were dispatched to the scene to extinguish the flames. By 5:00 PM, the intensity of the smoke had significantly decreased.

The affected houses are surrounded by abundant vegetation, raising concerns about the risk of the fire spreading. The origin of the fire and the exact extent of the damage remain unknown.

Residents of Sangueta have expressed their concern about the state of neglect that has plagued the area for years. "It's a jungle, it's scary to walk through there," says Rocío, a local resident, noting that some houses still have owners who maintain them, but many others are completely abandoned, occasionally serving as shelter for homeless people.

The Raval Roig Neighborhood Association has also voiced their dissatisfaction with the deterioration of Gran Capitán Street, which provides access to these homes. They report having repeatedly requested the City Council to remove the overgrown vegetation in the area and call for urgent intervention to address "the little houses," as these structures are popularly known, to "end the insecurity and appearance of neglect."

The Sangueta area is currently undergoing planning by the Alicante City Council. In 2024, a public participation process was opened to develop a plan for the area. In the April plenary session, Urban Planning Councillor Rocío Gómez stated that the foundations for a competition to select the best proposal for the future of this city space were being drafted.