On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, a significant fire broke out at the Lunimar recycling plant located on the Carretera del Mamí in Almería, Spain. The blaze generated a dense column of dark gray smoke that was visible from various parts of the city and even from nearby municipalities, alarming residents and prompting immediate action from emergency services.
According to the 112 Emergency Services, multiple calls began flooding in around 19:00 hours (7 PM), with over fifty reports received before the fire was fully assessed. Firefighters, along with agents from the Guardia Civil and National Police, were dispatched to the scene to combat the flames and manage traffic in the surrounding area. The entire warehouse of the recycling plant was engulfed in flames, leading to the complete destruction of the facility, although fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
The fire reportedly began around 19:30 hours (7:30 PM) and quickly escalated, causing flames to reach several meters in height. Eyewitness accounts described the fire as spreading rapidly, with one resident noting, "Very large, very large, and it is advancing, it is growing." The conditions at the time were not favorable for firefighting efforts, as the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) had issued a yellow alert for wind gusts of up to 70 kilometers per hour, which contributed to the fire's rapid spread.
As firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, the Guardia Civil de Tráfico were on-site to regulate traffic due to the high level of danger posed by the flames, which threatened to spread to adjacent structures. The emergency response included not only local firefighters but also National and Local Police forces, all collaborating to control the situation.
In addition to the fire at the recycling plant, another incident occurred earlier in the day at approximately 15:40 hours (3:40 PM) when a fire broke out in a two-story house on Calle Verdiales in the El Puche neighborhood. This separate incident resulted in four individuals receiving treatment for smoke inhalation, including two police officers and two civilians. This highlights the ongoing challenges faced by emergency services in Almería on this particular day.
Residents expressed concern over the fire's proximity to key infrastructure, including the Torrecárdenas hospital, which is located nearby. The emergency services continued to receive calls from alarmed citizens, emphasizing the visibility and intensity of the smoke.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire at the Lunimar recycling plant, which processes plastic and cardboard waste. Given the nature of the materials involved, there was a heightened risk of combustion, leading workers to evacuate stored materials as quickly as possible. Despite their efforts, the flames spread too rapidly for effective containment.
This incident is not the first of its kind for the Lunimar plant. In October 2020, the facility experienced a significant fire that also required a large-scale response from local firefighters. That fire, which similarly involved the burning of paper and cardboard, resulted in extensive smoke that was visible across the city. Although no injuries were reported during that incident, the cause was never definitively determined.
The Almería recycling plant fire serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with waste processing facilities, particularly those dealing with flammable materials. Local officials are expected to provide updates as the situation develops and as investigations into the cause of the fire continue.
As the emergency response unfolds, community members are urged to stay clear of the affected area and to heed any directives from local authorities. The swift action of emergency services is crucial in preventing further damage and ensuring public safety.
