Earlier yesterday, a man injured a gas cylinder by cutting the rubber hose, triggering a large fire that rapidly spread through a basement area in a building located on Maria Antònia Salvà street in S’Arenal de Llucmajor. Following the blaze, the same individual is believed to have moved to a nearby bar where he remained briefly before authorities intervened. Law enforcement officers from the Civil Guard and Llucmajor Local Police detained him hours later on suspicion of arson.
Eyewitness accounts place the incident at approximately 11:30 in the morning. The fire started in a basement unit of the eight-bedroom building block on Maria Antònia Salvà street. Reports indicate that the suspect, a 28-year-old Moroccan national, had previously expressed a threat related to an ex-partner, which the authorities are examining in the broader context of the case. He allegedly attacked the scene by lighting a fire using the cut butane cylinder as a torch, a method that escalated the blaze within seconds and threatened to engulf the entire property.
In the first moments of the incident, a woman believed her former partner to be inside the residence and feared for her safety. When it became clear that he had left the building after having initiated the fire, she proceeded to file a formal report with the authorities. The rapid spread of flames quickly drew attention from nearby residents and passersby, who contacted emergency services as flames began to appear beyond the façade of the property. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries to occupants or bystanders, though the material damage to the structure and contents was extensive.
Images captured by witnesses show the moment flames rose from the affected structure in S’Arenal. Firefighters and police responded promptly as the fire department was alerted to the scene. Local personnel initially faced significant challenges due to the intensity of the blaze, which hampered early containment efforts and complicating entry into the affected zones. Nevertheless, rapid coordination among fire crews helped to curb the spread of the fire and protect surrounding areas.
The Llucmajor Local Police quickly oriented their response to protect residents and secure the perimeter, with officers securing access routes and coordinating with on-site fire teams. Neighbors helped by providing water streams and assisting with suppression efforts while awaiting professional crews. The combined efforts of the Palma Fire Department, the Playa de Palma park unit, and the Majorca Firefighters team stationed in Llucmajor ultimately stabilized the situation and reduced the fire load enough to prevent total collapse of the building. The operation underscores the value of interagency cooperation in urban emergencies.
battered around
Investigators continued to survey the area in the aftermath. The police inquiry focused on locating the alleged arsonist, while the ex-partner of the accused pursued a formal complaint related to the incident. The investigation progressed to nearby San Cristóbal street, near the original fire scene. It was there that authorities learned the suspect had sought refuge in a local bar a few blocks from the site of the incident. He was subsequently arrested on charges of arson and remains in custody while the case is reviewed.
As officials piece together the sequence of events, experts are examining possible motives behind the act and any potential connections to disputes involving the ex-partner. Authorities remind residents to report suspicious activity and cooperate fully with investigators to ensure swift and accurate resolution of cases involving arson and related offenses.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a controlled space can descend into danger when hazardous materials are mishandled. Public safety officials also emphasize the importance of early warning and a coordinated emergency response to minimize risk and damage in similar urban settings. The investigation continues as the community awaits further official updates on the outcome of the case, with authorities preserving the privacy of involved individuals while pursuing accountability for the arson act. (Attribution: Palma Fire Department; Llucmajor Local Police; Civil Guard)