A gas explosion disrupted a Friday morning on Zamakola Kalea in Bilbao, injuring five people and causing extensive property damage. The incident began when workers carrying out road maintenance inadvertently disturbed a gas line, releasing gas that quickly flame up into a substantial blaze. Local responders arrived swiftly as smoke curled through the street and residents were asked to keep clear of the affected area. In those early moments, the risk was evident: a pipeline release had escalated into a dangerous blast that could threaten nearby homes and pedestrians until containment measures were put in place.
Gas venting and a rapid emergency response followed on Zamakola Kalea, where the leak required immediate action from firefighting crews and emergency personnel. The city’s fire department tracked the event and provided real-time updates as responders worked to secure the site and safeguard residents. The Bilbao Fire Department’s official social channels noted the gas release and the safety protocols being enacted on the ground. [Attribution: ADCBomberos Bilbao]
Five individuals were evacuated to Basurto Hospital, with authorities describing the initial medical picture as not presenting a complicated condition. Residents of property number 28 were moved as a precaution, and city services indicated that temporary housing would be arranged for those needing shelter. The evacuation prioritized access to medical evaluation and reduced exposure to potentially harmful fumes while assessing the structural safety of nearby buildings.
The explosion, confirmed to have occurred around 9:30 a.m., happened at the doorway corresponding to portal 28 along Zamakola Street. The ignition and ensuing blaze damaged window blinds and panes, with a visible shock wave across the facade. The impact was greatest on the first and second floors, where a section of the exterior facade sustained fire damage. Fire crews created a security perimeter and conducted thorough checks of adjacent structures to rule out further hazards; the threat to occupants in nearby units was addressed through rapid evacuation and continuous air quality monitoring in the surrounding blocks.
As the incident unfolded, responders coordinated with health care services to support those affected. This included a pregnant resident who required preventive attention for potential exposure nearby. Additional measures involved monitoring for smoke inhalation symptoms among residents and ensuring access to medical care as needed. Emergency teams also worked to prevent secondary risks, such as gas buildup in enclosed spaces, and focused on restoring a sense of safety for the neighborhood after the initial shock of the blast.