Emergency crews and security teams faced a chaotic scene in Pontevedra this morning as fires swept across multiple streets, damaging about twenty vehicles. Authorities suspect the incidents were deliberate, though no injuries were reported at the time.
The events unfolded just before 4:00 a.m., when 112 operators began fielding an influx of calls. The first report described three vehicles alight in Plaza de la Armada, and soon after, more witnesses described similar sightings in other streets within the historic center, an area that has limited surveillance at night. The rapid succession of explosions and flames prompted urgent responses from residents who notified emergency services.
Responders from the Tui Civil Protection volunteers arrived quickly, moving additional cars away from the flames to prevent their ignition and assisting in extinguishing the fires. Local police noted that 21 vehicles across several avenues—Calvo Sotelo, Ordónez, Tide, Piñeiro, and Plaza de la Armada—were affected. In addition to vehicles, some homes suffered damage to windows due to the extreme heat created by the fires. Authorities also reported property damage to a residence after a vehicle crash occurred nearby. [Citation: Local authorities, incident log]
Investigators have observed that most of the damaged cars were left fully burned. No arrests have been announced; however, members of the Local Police and the Civil Guard are compiling evidence to determine the sequence of events and identify any suspects. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities gather statements and review physical traces at the scene.
Investigation
Security forces are reviewing surveillance footage from cameras installed around the historic center of Tui to locate data that could point toward the perpetrator or perpetrators. The mayor of Tui, Enrique Cabaleiro, has endorsed the investigative plan and emphasized devoting available resources to resolve the case.
One resident who was affected recalled hearing a speeding car shortly before the fires began, followed by several explosions as flames took hold in the area. The council is awaiting permission from Judicial Police to remove burned vehicles and to clear the area of burning residues and contaminants so the neighborhood can begin to recover.
Complex operation
The widespread burning across the city has stretched firefighting resources thin, complicating containment and allowing flames to spread to neighboring vehicles and threaten nearby homes. In some instances, firefighters had to protect properties by directing water hoses from balconies and coordinating with residents to evacuate vulnerable areas until the situation could be brought under control.
Across the firefighting and security operation, the effort extended into the early morning hours. Fire units from Baixo Miño, Mos, and Valença, along with civil protection teams from Tomiño, Tui, O Porriño, and Salceda, joined in the response, alongside local security services. The coordinated effort underscores the scale of the incident and the collaboration among regional emergency responders to safeguard residents and mitigate further damage. [Attribution: Regional emergency coordination center]