A fire broke out around 12:15 PM in an occupied lot on Carrer Raseta in Sales de Reus, forcing the street to be closed this Wednesday and mobilizing four trucks and two light vehicles from the Bombers de la Generalitat. The large column of smoke was visible from several points in the city, and the flames have now been controlled.
Tension in the area had been building for hours. Around 9:00 AM, Mossos d'Esquadra and Guàrdia Urbana had already intervened in the same area to break up an argument, in a spot where residents have long reported coexistence problems and now also the origin of the fire under investigation.
The fire reached the facade on both sides of the building
The Guàrdia Urbana closed off the street to prevent risks while the extinguishing teams worked on the lot. The fire affected the facade's roof on both sides of the building due to the presence of thermal insulation material.
On the corner with Raval de Robuster, the adjacent property only suffered smoke damage. No personal injuries or burned belongings were reported.
Inside the lot, there were flammable materials, including refrigerators and items with polyurethane insulation, according to residents of the area. This accumulation would have facilitated the rapid spread of the flames once the fire started.
Police intervened three hours earlier due to an argument at the same spot
Neighbors of the adjacent building link the fire to previous conflicts between the occupants of the lot. Their account includes frequent arguments, tensions over money, and alleged informal transactions, including the sale of keys.
In addition to these episodes, residents report noise, drug use, and accumulation of garbage in the area. They claim the disturbances affect their rest, especially on weekends.
For now, the causes of the fire have not been determined. Authorities are keeping the investigation open to specify the origin of the fire and assess the circumstances under which it occurred after the police intervention at 9:00 AM in the same area.