[Update at 11:30 a.m.]
The fire caused by the gas leak in Plaça de Sants was finally extinguished shortly before 11:30 a.m., after burning for twelve hours. According to Albert Ventosa, head of operations for the Barcelona Fire Department, the decision was made to let it burn in a controlled manner because attempting to extinguish it prematurely would have posed a much greater risk to the area. This decision was due to the complexity of the urban gas distribution network, which required emergency crews to take the necessary time to seal the four affected pipes by inserting plugs—an essential step to safely extinguish the fire.
Now that the blaze has been extinguished, efforts are focused on removing the drilling rig involved in the incident, which is unstable and buried one meter deep. To carry out this delicate maneuver, a heavy-duty crane will be required; it is scheduled to arrive this Thursday afternoon. Authorities are confident that, once this extraction work is complete, normal conditions can be fully restored on the affected streets and traffic can be reopened by late afternoon or during the night.
[10:30 a.m.]
The usual bustle of Carretera de Sants—that constant flow of residents and businesses that sets the daily rhythm of the neighborhood—dawned today under an unusual light. A gas explosion at the Plaza de Sants metro entrances has left eight workers injured and caused a massive blaze that, as of Thursday morning, continues to burn in full view of much of the neighborhood.
It all began on Wednesday afternoon, when a pipeline accidentally ruptured in the midst of the planned construction work to make the station accessible. Around 10 p.m., while workers and emergency crews were trying to seal the leak, the explosion occurred. The direct consequences of this blast have left the area cordoned off, with a fire reaching the height of a third floor and forcing a complete reorganization of traffic flow at this key hub of the city.
The Complexity of Extinguishing the Fire
Nine crews from the Barcelona Fire Department remain deployed in the area, focusing their efforts on containing the flames, which are visible from a great distance. The main challenge for emergency crews is that they cannot simply extinguish the fire. Clara Latorre, the fire department’s duty officer, clearly explained the situation to Betevé: “Until we manage to stop the flow of gas, we won’t be able to put out the flames.”
The operation is technically complex because it requires shutting off the supply at different points in the distribution network. Given this scenario, the Guàrdia Urbana is maintaining the security perimeter, and the Procicat pre-alert has been activated to manage the risks.
Those injured in the explosion were the workers who were on the street working to repair the initial leak. After receiving on-site treatment, several ambulances transported them to varioushospitals. The latest medical update confirms that two of them are in serious condition and two others in less serious condition; all were transferred to Vall d’Hebron Hospital. Meanwhile, Hospital Clínic has admitted one patient in less serious condition and three with minor injuries.
Traffic disruptions in the neighborhood
The spectacular incident has forced the complete closure of Carretera de Sants between Cros Street and Olzinelles Street, which also remains closed to traffic. Although the striking column of fire dominates the street, service on Metro Line L5 continues to operate normally at Plaza de Sants station, although access from Galileu Street has had to be closed, forcing passengers to enter via the plaza itself.
Surface transportation is bearing the brunt of the disruption. The shuttle bus replacing the section of Line L1 under construction departs from Plaça Espanya but is currently unable to make its usual stop at Sants. In addition, bus lines D20, H10, V5, 52, and 78 have had to reroute their routes to avoid the affected section.
The cause: the long-awaited accessibility of the metro
The complications actually began on Wednesdayafternoon. The initial gas leak had already forced the evacuation of several local businesses and the closure of the street from Olzinelles to Jocs Florals to ensure the safety of residents.
The incident occurred during construction work that has been highly requested by the neighborhood and began last February. The Plaza de Sants station is one of the few in Barcelona that is not yet accessible to people with limited mobility. The construction work during which the pipe rupture occurred is aimed at installing three elevators that will connect the plaza to the pre-platform area and the concourse to each of the platforms.
