The future of the Hotel Ibis in Malaga is under review by the City Council and technicians, who are seeking a viable solution one month after the devastating fire. The priority is to prevent any intervention from causing more damage than the incident itself.
Security Councillor, Avelino Barrionuevo, has emphasized the need to base decisions on technical criteria. Although the demolition of the roof was initially considered, the focus is now on an approach that prioritizes the building's structural integrity. "We must seek a remedy that is not worse than the disease," stated Barrionuevo, suggesting that demolition might not be the only or best option.
The resilience of the building's structure after the fire has been highlighted by the councillor. However, the final determination on whether partial or total demolition will be necessary will depend on subsequent structural studies to be conducted by the Urban Planning department and the building's ownership.
Regarding the persistence of fire hotspots, Barrionuevo recalled that the fire was quickly brought under control. However, the nature of the construction, with a wooden joist and plasterboard false ceiling, facilitates the formation of 'chimney effect' air currents that can intermittently reignite the fire. Extinguishing efforts from the exterior were chosen to ensure the safety of the firefighters.
To address these remaining hotspots, the City Council has requested the property owners to remove the ceiling joists, allowing the area to be cooled from within. "It's not an active fire that we see burning, but rather we are there preventatively, and when something flares up, we intervene," concluded the councillor.
