A Critical 'Ninot' on Tourist Apartments in Pla Burns Down in the Morning

At around 10 a.m. on Sunday, the 'ninot' on Carrer de la Hoguera Pla Hospital unexpectedly caught fire. The commission witnessed the ironic critique they had crafted with their own hands, addressing the rapid growth of tourist apartments in their neighbourhood, go up in flames two days earlier than planned.

Although the official cause of the fire is yet to be determined, the commission's president, Helena Martinez, doubts it was a firecracker due to the timing and manner in which the 'ninots' burned. Of the months-long effort by the youth commission, only two figures representing a bellea and her ladies survived. The tourist and the other 'foguerera' are now ashes.

"The worst part is not just the anger that someone who dislikes the Hogueras disrespects their work, which brings life to the neighbourhood throughout the year. Nor is it the loss of the bellea corset of the president that dressed the 'ninot' on Carrer," lamented the president. For Helena, the real shock was when the security guard called early in the morning to report a burning figure, prompting them to rush down, unsure if it was the adult, child, or Carrer 'ninot'. They hurried down and extinguished what remained of the 'ninot' with buckets of water.

"We must be thankful it wasn't the child or adult bonfire," Martinez explained. The president expressed regret, noting that in recent years they had established the tradition of planting a 'ninot' on Carrer, and although they hadn't won any awards, the commission was very enthusiastic, making this a significant setback.

"The girls worked hard, reusing part of the ABBA-themed playback decor. The 'ninots' aren't perfect, but we made them from scratch," she recounted.

The fire overshadowed the 2025 Hogueras awards ceremony. The commission collected the banners for the most innovative bonfire and the fifth in the fourth children's category with a tinge of sadness in their eyes. "The only positive aspect of these situations is that it proves I have a fantastic commission that always perseveres," concluded Helena Martinez.