This Sunday morning was disrupted by a spectacular fire in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which generated a dense and kilometer-long column of black smoke, visible from different parts of the capital. The incident, located near the Montaña de los Lavaderos, in the Los Campitos area, prompted an immediate mobilization of emergency services after numerous calls from residents.
The origin of the fire, as confirmed by emergency service sources, was a garbage truck that began to burn for reasons still under investigation. The nature of the materials transported by the vehicle, along with its mechanical components, facilitated the rapid spread of the flames and the generation of the characteristic dark smoke that covered part of the city's sky.
“"We heard a couple of very loud explosions and immediately saw the flame."
Given the severity of the images and the proximity of the smoke plume to residential areas, the Tenerife Fire Consortium immediately dispatched several units to the scene. Firefighters are currently working to extinguish the flames, focusing their efforts on cooling the vehicle and preventing the fire from spreading to the surrounding vegetation of the Montaña de los Lavaderos, a particularly sensitive area.
The Local Police of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the National Police also arrived at the scene to cordon off the area, ensure the passage of emergency vehicles, and regulate traffic at the access points to Los Campitos. Authorities have asked the public to avoid approaching the vicinity to facilitate firefighting efforts and prevent inhalation of combustion gases.
The operation remains active, and cooling efforts for the vehicle are expected to continue for several hours. Once the fire is extinguished, the remains of the garbage truck will be removed. So far, no personal injuries have been reported, although health services remain on preventive alert.
