Overview
- The blaze that began near midnight Friday at the Naves del Tarajal industrial area burned 42 chabolas and forced the evacuation of nearby occupants, with emergency crews extinguishing the fire in about two hours and reporting no physical injuries.
- Ceuta's fire service and the Policía Nacional concluded the Tarajal fire started accidentally from a candle in closely packed, highly flammable shelters, while the Guardia Civil has opened a separate inquiry to further clarify the origin.
- Citywide, emergency teams handled multiple fires the same night that also destroyed eight vehicles and four public containers, a pattern that stretched resources and raised police concern about public order.
- Authorities have detained a municipal cleaning worker in connection with earlier fires this week, and that person has been presented to judicial authorities as investigators piece together several incidents.
- The damaged encampment houses mainly families and children left without official shelter after late July arrivals, and officials warn the loss of shelters increases short-term vulnerability and the risk that rumours or tensions could spark further unrest.