Firefighters in Cordoba, Spain, successfully extinguished a significant fire that had erupted in the historic mosque-turned-cathedral. According to Cordoba Mayor Jose Maria Bellido, the prompt and impressive response of the firefighters prevented a disaster. He confirmed that the fire has been completely put out and announced that firefighting and police patrols will continue through the night.
Videos circulating on social media captured flames and smoke emanating from the inside of the monument, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 and is a major draw for tourists. The fire started around 9 p.m. local time (19:00 GMT) in one of the chapels within the Almanzor naves, as reported by Spain’s El Mundo newspaper.
The cause of the blaze is suspected to be an electrical short circuit in an electric sweeper, El Mundo and local media reported. Three fire brigades managed to bring the fire under control and extinguish it in a short period. After the fire was out, firefighters continued to cool the structure’s walls and roofs to prevent any potential reigniting.
Originally a mosque between the 8th and 10th centuries, the structure was a gem of Islamic architecture. After the reconquest of Spain in the 13th century by King Ferdinand III of Castile, it was converted into a cathedral, with several architectural changes made over the following centuries.
The incident drew parallels to the 2019 fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which officially reopened in late 2024.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/fire-extinguished-in-spain-s-famous-cordoba-mosque-cathedral/a-73577917?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
