"I grabbed my passport and fled": the account of those affected by the fire in a shantytown near Son Gotleu

PalmA fire declared this Wednesday afternoon in a shantytown located between Son Gotleu and the Vía de Cintura in Palma, near the Germans Escales sports center, has generated alarm among residents of the area and significant traffic jams. The fire, which has already been extinguished, started shortly before 3:30 PM and affected four or five shacks, although no fatalities or injuries were reported.

Personnel from the Palma Firefighters, a Local Police unit, and a logistical vehicle from SAMU 061 have been deployed to the scene. Ultimately, medical intervention or the transfer of any ambulance was not necessary, according to information gathered by Europa Press. The large column of smoke hampered visibility and emergency efforts, a fact that contributed to worsening the usual traffic jams on the Vía de Cintura during that time of day, as reported by the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT).

Mohammed, one of the settlement's inhabitants, explained to this newspaper, still shocked, how he experienced the event. The flames originated very close to his shack, which was severely affected. "I was cooking and I saw something was happening. When I went out, there was a large column of fire and smoke," he recounts. According to his explanation, the fire occurred in a shack occupied by people who "were always partying." "Large groups would come, there were new faces constantly, and they made noise at any hour," he assures. They had everything full of debris and junk, he adds.

When he saw the fire spreading, he ran back to his home to grab the most essential items: "I grabbed my passport and medical papers and fled." Although he has lost some clothes and kitchen utensils, he assures that there are neighbors who have lost absolutely everything, including personal identification.

Mohammed has lived in Mallorca since 1995, although he has only been living in this settlement for two years. He explains that a health problem forced him to quit his job and, with insufficient income, he could no longer afford to pay rent. "I'm not doing too badly," he comments resignedly.

Alarm in schools

The smoke has been visible from a great distance and has created some expectation among neighbors and students in the area. María, a third-grade student from a nearby school, explained that in class they had activated the fire protocol. Her sister, two years younger, who was in another area of the school, replied dismissively: What are you talking about, fire protocol? While they were talking, the parents looked at them confused, trying to piece together the story of what had happened.

A nearby high school, some students also followed the fire from their classrooms. "You could see the smoke perfectly and there were many cars stopped," explains Fanny, who assures that they were allowed to leave earlier than usual given the situation.