The final report of the Visual Inspections Section of the Scientific Police on the Atalayas tragedy in Murcia on 1 October, in which 13 people died in the fire at the Teatre and Fonda nightclubs, concludes after a meticulous reconstruction. ‘Structural type’ fire resulting in theater room roof collapse. According to this report, due to the nature of the fuel in question, it is a class “A” fire (burning of solid materials). The theater room had a “single and main focus of fire” in the suspended ceiling.More specifically, in the area where the DJs perform and the stage where the speaker is located. As La Opinión de Murcia of the Prensa Ibérica group previously reported, the conclusions of this unit of the National Police indicate that the origin of the incident “Ignition caused by sparks from the cold fire engine on the suspended ceiling”so they are considered “”accidental fire due to negligence“In this way, the Scientific Police eliminates other possible causes “given the absence of combustion accelerators, electrical malfunction or the involvement of third parties.”
To support this claim, the report cites analysis of the most affected areas, testimony from several witnesses, and information provided by videos taken by participants in the demonstrations Teatre planned that night, where you can see two cold fire engines. Near the stage where the DJ performed, who did not comply with the safety distance determined by technical recommendations: 1.5 meters.
Regarding the development of the fire, the investigation suggests that in the initial stage it “developed gradually depending on the type of construction due to the suspended ceiling.” with poor jointing of metal panels Oxygen support is provided to the structure of the building, causing the fire to break out and develop more violently. It has low fire resistance. There are two doors in this wall, one at the bottom floor and the other at the top; this door is “close to where the fire develops more violently, becoming the path through which the fire enters the room. The Fonda Milagros” creates “a very high fire load” due to its decoration (containing a large number of flammable elements).
On the other hand, in the investigation conducted by the National Police, there are many mentions of obstacles on different evacuation routes, and these obstacles several emergency doors were closed during the night of the accident.
It should not be forgotten that the president of the Murcia Court of Investigation No. 3 undertook an open trial on 13 crimes related to reckless homicide in the fire in the Atalayas region. As district attorney José Luis Díaz Manzanera explained to La Opinión at the time, those responsible would face up to four years in prison. Due to the large number of victims, the sentence can even reach nine years; However, the legislation does not specify how many victims there should be for this maximum penalty to be imposed. The prosecutor’s investigation will also aim to reveal whether “preventive measures were neglected” to prevent the fire.