Residents and visitors in Calpe were given a scare on Sunday, May 10th, due to a large plume of smoke rising from a restaurant located in the town centre. The incident, which occurred during the busy lunch hour, triggered an immediate response from the emergency services after several calls were made to the 112 emergency line reporting what appeared to be a significant fire.
Firefighters from the provincial consortium were dispatched to the scene in Calpe to investigate the source of the smoke. Upon arrival, the crews determined that the alarm was caused by the accumulation of soot and grease in the chimney of the establishment’s kitchen. Although the smoke was thick and visible from several streets away, the situation was quickly brought under control without the flames spreading to the rest of the building or neighbouring properties.
Local police and the Guardia Civil also attended the scene to manage traffic and ensure the safety of pedestrians while the firefighters carried out their work. No injuries were reported, and the restaurant was not required to undergo a full evacuation, although the incident caused a temporary disruption to the service. The firefighters remained on site for a short period to ventilate the premises and ensure that the chimney was completely cooled down to prevent any reignition.
The authorities have used the incident as a reminder to hospitality businesses in Calpe regarding the importance of regular maintenance and cleaning of extraction systems. Such build-ups of grease are a common cause of chimney fires, which can produce alarming amounts of smoke and pose a risk if not dealt with swiftly by professional teams.
