Alhaurin El Grande

Electrical fault triggers sudden closure at El Paponazo, Alhaurin el Grande

Published

2 hours ago

June 10, 2026

admin

One of Alhaurin el Grande’s best-known burger and fast food restaurants, El Paponazo, has temporarily closed after an electrical fire broke out at the premises.

According to a statement published by the restaurant on social media, the incident occurred when the main electrical meter and control panel failed while the team was operating at full capacity during one of the busiest nights of the week.

The owners described the incident as “the scare of the year” but stressed that the most important outcome was that nobody was injured. “We are all perfectly fine. Nobody suffered any harm and the scare has remained just that, a scare,” the restaurant said in its message to customers.

Orders halted as staff evacuated safely

The fire forced staff to halt service immediately, leaving dozens of collection and home‑delivery orders unfinished. The business apologised to affected customers, explaining that the safety of employees and the premises had to come first. “It hurt our souls to leave you hungry,” the owners wrote, acknowledging the disappointment caused to customers waiting for their Saturday night orders.

Popular food spot remains closed during repairs

El Paponazo has become one of the most popular takeaway and delivery burger restaurants in Alhaurin el Grande. Known for its oversized burgers, loaded fries, sandwiches, sides and home‑delivery service, it has a loyal following and customer base, particularly among local families and younger diners looking for casual comfort food.

Customer reviews often highlight generous portion sizes, good value for money and convenient delivery.

Technicians working to restore power and reopen

The restaurant remains without power while technicians replace the damaged electrical installation and work to restore the premises to full operation. Owners say they cannot yet provide a reopening date, as repairs, inspections and technical approvals are still required before trading can resume.

Despite the setback, the owners thanked customers for their patience and the messages of support received since the incident. They assured diners that once power is restored and repairs are complete, “the grills of El Paponazo will be running at full capacity again.”

Local residents can continue to monitor the restaurant’s social media channels for updates on the reopening of El Paponazo

Related Topics:Alhaurin El Grande Costa del Sol El Paponazo electrical fault restaurant closure

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Alhaurin El Grande

Guardia Civil dismantles secret fuel depot supplying drug smugglers in Alhaurin el Grande

Published

4 days ago

June 6, 2026

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Guardia Civil officers carried out a targeted operation on Friday, June 5, that led to the arrest of two men and the seizure of thousands of litres of fuel intended for drug smuggling boats. Officers focused the raid on a property in Alhaurin el Grande that functioned as a storage site for a criminal network supplying narcolanchas, high-speed motorboats for transporting drugs across the Atlantic operating off the Andalucian coast. Investigators believe the site formed part of the logistical chain that keeps fast smuggling vessels running during illicit crossings.

Gossip had been rife around the town for several days after occasions when Guardia Civil cars were seen careering around the town clearly in search for someone important. Rumours of a secret stash of explosives, or something equally dangerous, filled the terraces, while Anthony Bermudez, mayor of Alhaurin, recorded a video on Friday, June 6, to set residents’ minds at rest. The Guardia Civil had clearly told the mayor they were looking for someone illegally breeding animals, as that was what he passed on to the public. But the public had guessed it had been something more serious than that.

Raid targets inland property

Agents from several Guardia Civil units descended on the dwelling after intelligence indicated its use as a fuel depot for maritime drug operations. The property’s location inland away from the coast allowed the group to stockpile supplies without immediate suspicion or detection from maritime patrols. Entry and search followed judicial authorisation, leading to the immediate detention of the two occupants.

Materials recovered by investigators

Investigators recovered €10,570 in cash and a notebook containing numerous annotations. Those records hold value in tracing wider connections within the criminal organisation according to Guardia Civil sources. Officers also found 229 full jerry cans each holding 25 litres of fuel and 483 empty containers prepared for refilling. The practice known as ‘petaqueo’ in police circles involves transferring fuel from land stores to narcolanchas at sea so the vessels can complete high-speed runs without refuelling at regular ports.

Charges filed against detainees

Police have charged two detainees with criminal group membership and offences against collective security. The second charge relates to the serious hazards created by storing thousands of litres of highly flammable liquid in an ordinary home without proper safety precautions. Such storage increases the chance of a fire or explosion that could affect neighbouring properties and residents. Multiple units took part in the coordinated action, including personnel from the main post in Alhaurin el Grande, the judicial police unit based in Algeciras, the post in Guadiaro, the fiscal company in Malaga and additional teams from the Algeciras and Malaga commands.