Technicians from various municipal departments of the Puente Genil City Council are working from early Thursday morning on the cleaning and adaptation of the lower area of the Pinar de San Rafael, next to the Municipal Sports Center. The area was affected on Wednesday night by a spectacular fire that startled residents of the Santo Domingo and Buenos Aires neighborhoods, as well as those present at the sports facility.
The fire started around 10:00 PM near the treatment plant and spread towards the swimming pool, affecting the perimeter vegetation and extending into the pine grove, where it reached several large trees. The rapid intervention of the firefighters from the Puente Genil Park was crucial in containing and extinguishing the flames, with crews remaining on site until the early morning to prevent re-ignition. A municipal worker suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to the High Resolution Hospital of Puente Genil.
The mayor of Puente Genil, Sergio Velasco, visited the site and stated that the fire was intentional. He clarified that the area had been cleared and that the fire began on the slope next to the pool, affecting the undergrowth and spreading to the perimeter hedge and the picnic area, with a total damaged surface of approximately 300 square meters. Four pine trees were affected, one significantly.
Velasco lamented the incident and announced an investigation to identify the perpetrators, dismissing rumors about the cleared area. He sent a message of encouragement to the affected municipal worker, who is reportedly recovering well. It was confirmed that the fire started in a corner near the treatment plant, and security cameras will be reviewed.
The swimming pool will reopen normally on Thursday at noon, despite the lack of awnings in the picnic area. Summer camps will not be able to use the facility in the morning due to the cleaning of embers that fell into the water. The mayor highlighted the pool's good performance and regretted that individuals seeking to cause harm are affecting a public asset.
