Alicante Traffic Sub-Sector Civil Guards joined forces with local residents to put out a house fire that damaged one room and left the owner with minor injuries, according to official statements from Alicante Command. The blaze began when a battery from an electric scooter exploded, triggering a fire that rapidly grew and forced neighbors to seek assistance as smoke curled from a window.
The incident unfolded around 14:30 on July 18, when a passerby entered the Civil Guard Traffic Sub-Sector facilities in the city center seeking help after smoke appeared just a few meters from the official offices. The quick contact prompted a rapid response from the two officers on duty, who immediately retrieved two portable fire extinguishers from the barracks and hurried toward a nearby residence just two blocks away.
Upon arrival, the officers observed a thick plume of smoke billowing from the building and confirmed the risk to residents on the upper floors. In a coordinated effort, they notified emergency services while two officers plus a backup patrol ascended to evacuate neighbors from the fourth floor and other apartments blocked by the stairwell, ensuring that the smoke did not trap residents or spread through common areas. Their actions prevented a larger crisis and reduced potential harm to bystanders as the scene was secured.
Inside the home, the owner was present when the Civil Guards reached the address. With the extinguishers in hand, the officers tackled the blaze and contained the flames before they could engulf more furniture or reach adjacent rooms. The quick intervention also limited the spread of smoke, helping to safeguard the occupants and reduce the potential for inhalation injuries while firefighters arrived to complete the suppression and assess any remaining hot spots. The friendly cooperation between the officials and the residents minimized further damage and ensured everyone remained out of danger.
Witnesses promptly alerted the authorities, and the Civil Guards’ swift response helped prevent a more serious outcome. The homeowner, a 37-year-old Spaniard, was treated at the scene for minor injuries and later evaluated by medical personnel as a precaution. The incident underscores the importance of rapid reporting, disciplined teamwork, and the readiness of first responders to act decisively when fires start near residential areas, especially when energy storage devices like e-scooter batteries are involved. Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the explosion to determine whether safety precautions or product defects contributed to the incident, while residents are reminded to handle batteries with care and follow manufacturers’ safety guidelines to reduce the risk of similar events in the future. (Alicante Command)