A fire that broke out at a food storage plant near Palma de Mallorca Airport has spread to nearby vehicles and fuel tankers, prompting a pre-alert at the airport and forcing residents in the area to stay indoors as flights continue to run despite delays.
A large fire has broken out near Palma de Mallorca Airport, sending thick black smoke billowing over the runway and prompting officials to place the airport on “pre-alert” amid fears the blaze could spread closer to its infrastructure. The fire is believed to have started inside a lorry at the Mercapalma food storage plant before spreading rapidly to nearby parked vehicles, according to the Mallorca Daily Bulletin. Residents in the area, including those in Son Banya, have been told to stay indoors as the smoke plume drifts across the region, with witnesses reporting it visible for miles, including from coastal areas around Palma.
Explosions Reported as Blaze Spreads to Vehicles
Locals reported hearing several loud explosions as the fire took hold, with the blaze proving especially difficult for crews to bring under control once it reached parked cars and fuel tankers at the site. According to the Mallorca Daily Bulletin, the presence of so much fuel at the scene has significantly complicated firefighting efforts. Two firefighters have already been treated for smoke inhalation while tackling the flames.
Emergency Response Under Way
National Police and the Palma Fire Brigade are at the scene working to contain the fire. Police have closed several roads around the Mercapalma complex, causing heavy traffic congestion on routes leading to and from the airport. Officials say the cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, with a formal investigation expected to begin once the blaze has been extinguished.
Airport Remains Open, but on Alert
Despite the pre-alert issued over the fire’s proximity to the runway, flight operations at Palma de Mallorca Airport have continued, with no official suspension of take-offs or landings announced. However, tracking website Flightradar has recorded 257 delayed flights at the airport, even as nothing about the fire had, at the time of writing, appeared on the airport’s own website or social media channels. Airport authorities say they remain on alert and are continuing to monitor the risk as firefighters work to stop the blaze spreading any closer to the runway or other airport infrastructure.
