17 cars destroyed in vehicle fire in the port of Xàbia

The fire broke out in the parking zone next to the fish market, sending thick black smoke into the air.

A vehicle fire in the car-park of the port of Xàbia yesterday afternoon destroyed 17 cars and damaged a further 17. The inferno broke out just after 1.00pm in the parking zone next to the fish market and the popular bar-restaurant La Cantina and, pushed by strong winds, quickly spread across a row of vehicles. No injuries were reported.

Provincial firefighters were deployed in addition to those from the stations in Dénia and Benissa whilst volunteers from the Protección Civil and ISVH Balcón al Mar also attended. The fire was officially declared as extinguished by 4.00pm.

At the time of writing, investigators from the Guardia Civil have not yet declared the cause of the fire, although there are some indications that a traca – a string of firecrackers usually used as fiestas and celebrations – was let off during a wedding taking place nearby. However nothing has been confirmed.