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Emergency crews acted quickly last Wednesday night to prevent a small fire from turning into a much more serious incident near one of Murcia’s most well-known abandoned buildings.

 

The blaze broke out close to the former Sierra Espuña sanatorium in Alhama de Murcia, prompting an immediate response from firefighters, police and environmental officers.

 

According to Alhama Town Hall, smoke was spotted at around 10pm by staff at a forest surveillance post overlooking the area. The alert was passed straight to the Emergency Coordination Centre, which mobilised local resources within minutes.

 

Officers from the Local Police, environmental agents, Guardia Civil patrols and a Rapid Intervention Brigade of forest firefighters were all sent to the scene. The specialist firefighting unit had been reinforced due to the recent spell of high temperatures and the increased risk of wildfires across the Region of Murcia.

 

Their fast response paid off, with firefighters managing to extinguish the flames before they had a chance to spread through the surrounding countryside.

 

During the incident, staff at the lookout post reported seeing a motorcycle carrying two people leaving the area. The information has been passed to the Guardia Civil, which is now investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire.

 

The incident happened at the abandoned Sanatorio de Sierra Espuña, a building that has become something of a local landmark over the years. Constructed in 1913, it was originally used as a treatment centre for patients suffering from tuberculosis and other serious illnesses. It later served as an orphanage and youth hostel before closing its doors in 1995.

 

Despite several proposals to bring the site back into use, including plans announced last year to transform it into a hotel, the building remains empty. Over the years it has also gained a reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the Region of Murcia, attracting curious visitors and urban explorers.

 

Alhama Town Hall thanked all the emergency personnel involved, highlighting the importance of rapid intervention during the summer months when wildfire risk is at its highest.

 

For more information about Alhama, including news and upcoming events, visit the local tourist office or go to the home page of Alhama Today.