Overview

• The fire broke out around 9:15 PM in a lateral chapel of the Mezquita section and was brought under control within an hour by local crews.
• Firefighters confirmed there is no risk of further spread and focused on cooling the structure during 39 °C heat to prevent flare-ups.
• Initial inquiries point to a malfunctioning battery in an automatic cleaning machine as the likely trigger for the late-night blaze.
• Investigators are conducting a detailed survey of the monument’s 8th-century arches and later Christian additions to catalog any damage.
• Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba merges Islamic and Christian design and welcomes about two million visitors annually.