Elche residents rescued after a fire caused by an electric scooter

A violent fire in a residence was caused by an electric scooter battery at Calle Pablo Picasso in Elche, which sparked a scare. According to consortium sources, the blaze engulfed the five-story structure, necessitating the evacuation of ten inhabitants and affecting six properties.

A 56-year-old neighbour suffered from carbon inhalation, while a 26-year-old firefighter was injured by the flames. The residence from which the fire originated was entirely consumed by flames, which rapidly advanced to the upper floors, necessitating the evacuation of the third to fifth floors by firefighters.

The incident transpired shortly before 2:30 a.m. on Thursday morning. April 10th. The Emergency Information and Coordination Centre subsequently issued a fire notice for a block of flats located at Calle Pablo Picasso 38 in Elche. A command post unit, two heavy urban fire engines, and a fire ladder vehicle were employed to extinguish the fire at the scene. Additionally, eight firefighters from the Elche and Crevillente fire stations were dispatched.

The Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium (CPB) elucidates that the fire originated in the battery of an electric scooter, resulting in “a significant amount of smoke” and “complete damage” to the residence. Residents were evacuated from the first two floors due to the fire’s severity, while up to 10 individuals were rescued from the third, fourth, and fifth floors.

After more than two hours of labour, firefighters were able to suppress the flames at 4:12 a.m. Smoke poisoning caused by the fire necessitated medical attention for four residents during the incident. Furthermore, one of the firefighters necessitated treatment for a dislocated shoulder.

Two Basic Life Support ambulances, a SAMU (Medical Emergency Unit), and a TNA (Teaching and Rescue) were dispatched to the location. Three of the five injured were transported to Elche General Hospital, while the remaining individual was transported to Vinalapó Hospital.