The project file for the installation and takedown of shade sails on public roadways, funded by European Next Generation funds, has been accepted by the Local Government Board. Between May and October, 3,203 square meters of shade will be installed throughout the historic centre, particularly in calle Corredora, Obispo Tormo, Hospital, Solars, carrer Ample and Major del Pla. The contract was awarded last December.

Government spokesperson Inma Mora remarked that “this is a project that demonstrates the commitment of this government team to the well-being of the people of Elche, as these awnings will fulfil the function of mitigating the impact of the sun on the main shopping streets of Elche.”

In order to lessen the effects of the summer heat, the Shade Plan calls for actions like planting more trees in the city or considering this kind of shading in parks, gardens, and other public areas like squares, streets, and children’s play areas.

2.1 million for school air conditioning installation

However, the beginning of the procedure for awarding the contract for installing ventilation and air conditioning in municipal baby schools was agreed at the meeting on Thursday. In order to enhance the quality of life for the kids, teachers, and other professionals who work in these schools, Mora emphasised, “today we are taking a further step and starting the awarding of the contract for these works.”

In an effort to lessen the extreme summer temperatures, air conditioners will be installed in Don Crispín, Don Honorio, Don Julio, Elx Xiquets, and Rosa Fernández. The contract’s base tender budget is 2.1 million euros, and the air conditioning installation will be completed in the summer to avoid interfering with the academic year. The installation will take 10 weeks to complete.

Firefighters have found the lifeless body of the pyrotechnician from Alicante Pedro Luis Sirvent inside his workshop, located in the Fontcalent area of ​​Alicante, after a tragic explosion that occurred on Thursday morning for reasons that are still being investigated. The incident also caused four injuries, one of them seriously, with burns on 80% of his body, according to emergency services sources.

One of the injured is the son of the pyrotechnic artist and has suffered an anxiety attack, for which he has been treated at the scene of the tragedy. A 43-year-old woman has been taken by ambulance to the General Hospital of Alicante for anxiety attacks and mild smoke inhalation. The most seriously injured person, a 68-year-old man, has been transferred by helicopter to the Burns Unit of the La Fe hospital in Valencia.

The incident occurred at around 11.20 am, when, for reasons still to be clarified, a fire broke out in the warehouse area, where the material for the shows is sold to the public and stored. The Alicante Local Police were the first to arrive at the workshop. With the building still on fire, municipal security officers went in to rescue the victims, explained the mayor himself, Luis Barcala. The mayor was “very dismayed”, since Pedro Luis Sirvent was a very popular man at the Hogueras de San Juan.

Along with numerous emergency teams, police officers from the homicide, judicial, and explosives units (Tedax) have assembled in the area. Both José María Conesa, the top official of the Local Police of Alicante, and Manuel Lafuente, the provincial commissioner of the National Police, have visited the scene of the events.

Soon after, they were joined by the President of the Federació de Fogueres, David Olivares, the Bellea del Foc, Alba Muñoz, the Mayor of Alicante, Luis Barcala, the Councillor for Security, Julio Calero, and the Sub-delegate of the Government in Alicante, Juan Antonio Nieves, among other officials. Two helicopters, one of which was medicalised, two ambulances, and basic life support (SVB) were sent to the scene. Additionally present were firefighters from the Prevention, Extinction of Fires and Rescue Service (Speis) of Alicante and the Provincial Consortium of the Diputación, who used a drone to collect more accurate data on the explosion’s consequences.

To keep the fire from spreading to the location where the fireworks were being made, which is across the workshop’s central courtyard, firefighters have roped off the area.

The Fire Brigade has requested a temporary suspension of the Alicante-Madrid AVE line since the explosion caused some pyrotechnics to fly onto the railway lines. Train traffic had returned at 3:25 p.m.

As a show of unity, the Federació de Fogueres has halted all celebrations this Thursday and Friday. Additionally, the festive organisation has expressed the institutional aim of the Bellesses del Foc and their Dames d’Honor. David Olivares, the president, has visited Fontcalent to personally observe the dire circumstances.

Over 100 emergency workers participated in the effort, which illustrates the tragedy’s scope.

See the earlier story here https://costablancadaily.com/2025/03/06/a-fire-at-a-pyrotechnics-factory-injures-two/

Two vehicles collided head-on at El Campello yesterday, Wednesday, March 5th, on the N-332 as it crosses Venta Lanuza.

The Cicu’s medical services transported the three injured individuals to various health facilities.

A 36-year-old lady with numerous bruises was sent to the Doctor Balmis General Hospital in Alicante, while a 20-year-old woman and a male were brought to a private hospital for their injuries.

Both accidents, the causes of which are being looked into, were assisted by the Guardia Civil and local police. Given that it has been raining almost all day in the region of Alicante, it is not completely ruled out that unfavourable weather conditions could have contributed to the disaster.