A striking cloud of smoke alerted the CTBA, a skyscraper district in Madrid, around 5:40 PM. The incident, originating on the 25th floor of the Moeve Tower, was confirmed by the Police as resulting from an explosion. Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames by approximately 6:40 PM.
The operation involved personnel from the Fire Department, Samur-Civil Protection, and officers from the National and Municipal Police. Municipal sources coordinated the deployment, stating the fire was under control and teams were continuing their work.
“"At five o'clock, a fire occurred in the technical room, near the 23rd floor, of the Moeve Tower. We immediately activated the fire protocol and the evacuation was carried out without injuries."
Samur personnel attended to two workers for smoke inhalation and a passerby for anxiety, all of whom were discharged without needing hospitalization. The regional government's emergency service, 112, shared updates from the City Council, while the municipal Mobility Management center reported traffic disruptions on Paseo de la Castellana and the M-30.
Eyewitnesses described smoke and even flames, suggesting an explosion as a possible cause. A bakery worker located opposite the tower reported smelling burnt odors and that the incident began shortly after 5 PM. The fire alarm at a nearby building, AES, also sounded.
Three employees were the last to be evacuated from the tower, confined to a safe zone for about an hour. After their exit, only Fire Department personnel remained to inspect the building once the fire was out.
The Moeve Tower, designed by Norman Foster and built in 2009, stands 248 meters tall, making it the second-tallest skyscraper in Spain. The Government delegate in Madrid stated on social media that security and emergency teams were working to control the situation and minimize damage.
This incident is reminiscent of a minor fire in the same tower last December, caused by an electrical transformer in the basement, which also necessitated evacuation and a power cut.
