Unease persists in Granada and its Metropolitan Area a week after a series of earthquakes shook the region. Residents in the Zaidín neighborhood, one of the most affected, are closely observing every new crack or damage in their homes, while the Granada Fire Department maintains a routine of inspections to assess building safety.
Rescue teams, such as BUL 5 from the Rescue Group, dedicate up to twelve-hour shifts to handle incidents. After a priority filter, calls are distributed to determine if damage affects the structure or is merely aesthetic. According to José Antonio Quesada Lumbrera, team leader, the assessment so far is reassuring, indicating that none of the inspections conducted have compromised the safety of the tenants.
On Jamaica street, number 25, firefighters inspected a potential damage to a building element. After a superficial review and a small probe in the affected area, they confirmed it was a beam without significant structural damage caused by seismic movements.
Each team can handle over ten incidents daily, depending on their complexity. On Florida street, number 24, a crack was examined at the junction between the structure and the brickwork. Responders determined that, although damage existed, it was primarily aesthetic and did not compromise the building's stability.
The firefighters' work also includes removing elements that could pose a risk of falling onto public roads. They are collaborating with technicians from the College of Architects. Despite the assessment work, fear persists among residents, who acknowledge the difficulty of managing the uncertainty after a seismic event, unlike other emergencies such as a fire.
As Granada attempts to return to normalcy, Fire Department vehicles continue their work in neighborhoods like Zaidín, responding to the questions that each new crack poses to its residents.
