The National Police have arrested an individual linked to the fire that forced the evacuation of the La Vaguada shopping centre in Madrid. The blaze, which originated in containers, generated a thick cloud of smoke.
A fire that broke out on Saturday afternoon at the La Vaguada shopping centre, located in the El Pilar neighbourhood, has led to the arrest of a man allegedly responsible for the incident. The events occurred around 5:30 PM when several containers in the loading and unloading area of the complex caught fire, causing a dense column of smoke that forced authorities to evacuate the establishment.
Officers from the citizen attention group (GAC) located the suspect in the early hours of Sunday, hiding among vehicles near the shopping centre. His evasive behaviour drew the attention of the police, who recognised him as the author of the fire after identifying him. He is currently in custody and is awaiting presentation before the judicial authority.
The incident prompted a swift response from emergency services. According to official sources, both the National Police and the Municipal Police actively participated in the safe evacuation of the shopping centre, which sees over 25 million visitors annually.
As many as nine fire units from the Madrid Fire Brigade were mobilised to control and extinguish the flames. Fortunately, only one minor case was reported: a security guard was treated for smoke inhalation.
Such incidents are not new in large shopping centres; a few years ago, another similar fire occurred in a nearby establishment that also required mass evacuations and significant intervention from firefighters. Authorities have emphasised the importance of maintaining strict protocols to ensure public safety and minimise risks during critical situations like this.
As the investigation into the exact causes of the fire and the motivations behind the deliberate act progresses, it is expected that preventive measures will be reinforced within and around the shopping complex. Customers can rest assured that actions are being taken to prevent future similar incidents. For those interested in visiting La Vaguada after the event, the centre will remain open with all necessary measures implemented to ensure a safe experience.
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