A large-scale fire in the centre of Torrevieja caused the evacuation of a six-storey building on the evening of Friday, April 17, according to the Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium. The scale of the home fire, which started in one of the flats, caused significant damage to the building, but thanks to the quick intervention of first responders, no one was injured in the blaze.

A major blaze in one of the busiest areas of Torrevieja

The fire started at around 8:04pm in one of the third-floor flats in the building, located on the corner of Calle Ramón Gallud and Calle María Parodi in central Torrevieja, one of the busiest areas of the town. The blaze generated a large column of smoke, and local sources report seeing flames and smoke coming out of the flat’s balcony. The residents of the building were evacuated due to the high-risk situation.

In total, 15 personnel from the Torrevieja and Almoradi stations were deployed to the scene, including one officer, one non-commissioned officer, one sergeant, two corporals, and ten firefighters. Along with the first responders, a command unit, two heavy urban pump engines, a ladder truck, and a utility vehicle were also deployed. After hours of intense intervention, the firefighters managed to extinguish the flames by 10:00pm.

Among those who were rescued from the burning building were three animals, all in good condition.

The fire destroyed three of the flats in the building, with adjacent flats partially damaged by the flames and smoke. The large scale of the blaze generated tension among the neighbours of the building, who alerted the emergency response team.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

Alicante firefighters deployed for mountains blaze in Orihuela

Earlier this week, firefighters from the Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium were called to extinguish a forest blaze in the mountains of Orihuela, near a residential area. The major intervention required the deployment of two forest fire units with two heavy pumps, four teams from the Orihuela and Almoradi fire stations, three commanders from the Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium, and one environmental agent, but there were no injuries reported in the blaze.

Emergency responders and firefighters from the consortium continue their work as an essential pillar for ensuring resident safety, especially in busy Costa Blanca hubs like Torrevieja.

Residents on Tabarca have just about had enough of their Alicante council overlords and so have begun formal steps to take back control after years of frustration with distant authorities – distant in both kilometres and interest. Spain’s smallest inhabited island, measuring just 30 hectares and home to around 60 permanent residents in winter, sits off the Alicante coast, a short ferry ride from Santa Pola, yet feels ignored and cut off from effective support.

Frustration builds over more than a decade

Association Tabarca Isla Plana formed 11 years ago to press for fixes to everyday problems. Members collected signatures from 33 of the 59 registered residents in early April 2026, clearing the legal threshold to proceed. President Carmen Martí described the move as a small but essential first stage in a longer fight for administrative freedom. Islanders report repeated requests for better boat links, regular cleaning, medical access and repairs to historic structures, including the 18th-century fortress built under King Carlos III.

Daily struggles drive demand for change

Private ferries and individuals’ personal boats are the only connection to the mainland, yet bad weather often leaves people isolated. Summer brings up to 150,000 day visitors, adding pressure on waste collection and basic infrastructure without matching resources. Multiple layers of government, including Alicante council, the Valencian regional authority and central state bodies, create confusion over responsibility. Residents argue this setup blocks progress and prevents direct access to provincial or European grants.

Alicante rejects accusations of neglect

Tabarca falls within the municipality of Alicante city; although physically, it is closer to Santa Pola and Elche (Playa), it is Alicante Town Hall that is responsible for the tiny island. Alicante council insist they invest in the island and continue work to meet its needs. Spokeswoman Cristina Cutanda stated recently that Alicante delivers the attention Tabarca deserves. Some locals, including a former neighbourhood mayor, scoff and call the autonomy push unrealistic.

A long bureaucratic path lies ahead

Lawyers for the association have prepared the official application. The Alicante council must debate the request before it passes to the regional government for technical and economic review. Even if approved, Tabarca would stay inside Alicante council boundaries but gain its own limited budget and neighbourhood council. Success remains uncertain given the early stage and political hurdles, yet islanders view the effort as their best chance to manage daily life more effectively. Soon, little Tabarca might just “take back control”!

Santa Pola is gearing up to celebrate the 4th edition of the Fireta del Llibre on Sunday, April 26, turning the heart of the town into a vibrant meeting point for readers, writers and culture lovers. The literary event, held in Santa Pola, will run throughout the morning with activities designed for all ages and a strong focus on encouraging reading among children and young people.

Children’s events, recognitions for readers, author signings, and delicious food

During the event, children will be able to enjoy a creative space of wooden recreational games organised by Jocs de Fusta, offering an accessible and playful introduction to the festival atmosphere. The programme will continue just before noon with the awards ceremony for “The Most Readers 2025”, recognising the most dedicated young readers from the municipality’s libraries.

One of the highlights of the day will take place from noon to 2:00pm with “The Literary Reed”, an interdisciplinary session combining live readings by local library users, music by CHAMÁN, and a popular food and drink offer of a beer or soft drink with a tapa for just €2. The session will also include book signings by popular local authors, strengthening the connection between writers and their community.

Visitors will also find bookstalls from Guilló, Sarai, Sonidos y Letras and El Morenet, offering a wide selection of titles and new discoveries. The municipal library stands will present Fanzine Arte_Fact_0, the first youth magazine in Santa Pola, while language promotion will be led by AVIVA Santa Pola, supported by Generalitat Valenciana, along with Som Cultura Santa Pola and the Xarxa de Biblioteques Municipals de Santa Pola.

A bookish event for the whole family

The Fireta del Llibre in Santa Pola continues to grow as a key cultural event, reinforcing its role as a meeting point for literature lovers across the region. Families are encouraged to participate in the Fireta freely and explore all scheduled events throughout the morning, in an event that is sure to inspire readers and writers from all over the municipality and beyond.