La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
A fire started in the Mezquita-Cathedral here in Córdoba last night at around 9. Flames were enormous and it looked like a disaster. Reminiscent for many I’m sure of the fire that destroyed Notre Dame Cathedral in April 2019. It was reportedly started by a mechanical sweeper that was operating in the Chapel of the Annunciation (which was being used for storage). The chapel’s wooden vaults collapsed and the fire spread to the roof but it was contained to the 16th-century chapel area. Of the total 23,000 square meters of the building, only 25 square meters were damaged. The response was lightning quick (no pun intended). Firefighters had it completely extinguished less than an hour and a half later and, although there’s obvious damage, the excellent work of all involved avoided a catastrophe. Doors are open and the tourists were back en masse this morning. Firefighters are receiving high praise for their exceptional work. The first photo below is the same area several months ago. The fire photos are from the web.
Anoche, alrededor de las 21:00, se declaró un incendio en la Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba. Las llamas eran enormes y parecía un desastre. Seguramente, para muchos recordó el incendio que destruyó la Catedral de Notre Dame en abril de 2019. Según se informa, el incendio fue provocado por una barredora mecánica que operaba en la Capilla de la Anunciación (que se usaba como almacén). Las bóvedas de madera de la capilla se derrumbaron y el fuego se extendió al tejado, pero se contuvo en la zona de la capilla del siglo XVI. De los 23.000 metros cuadrados del edificio, solo 25 resultaron dañados. La respuesta fue rapidísima (sin ánimo de ofender). Los bomberos lo extinguieron por completo en menos de una hora y media y, aunque los daños son evidentes, el excelente trabajo de todos los involucrados evitó una catástrofe. Las puertas están abiertas y los turistas regresaron en masa esta mañana. Los bomberos están recibiendo grandes elogios por su excepcional trabajo. La foto de arriba muestra la misma zona hace varios meses. La primera foto de abajo muestra la misma zona hace varios meses. Las fotos del incendio son de internet.
I read about that in the NYT this morning and wondered about how close that might be to you. What an outstanding job by the firefighters. Mary
Mary:
We’re about a 20-minute walk to the Mesquite. We would have been able to see the flames had I known to look. The firefighters were incredible. Structures like that can get engulfed so quickly.
These old structures are like tinderboxes. Happy to see that the fire was limited to a small area.
Jim:
Yes. That could have so easily become a disaster.
Wonderful that they were quickly able to contain the fire and restrict the ultimate damage. Started by a “mechanical sweeper” — a roomba?
Debra:
Yeah, all I could picture was a roomba. Maybe they’ll be more specific over time.
There exist large robotic units, like 4’x3’x2′ (120x90x60cm) the type used in large public buildings, that are self guided and all. Roombas (Roombae? Roombatoi?) on steroids.
The above comment was from me.
wickedhamster:
I’d love to see one of those!
I’m glad that was caught quickly. And I’m surprised it’s open to visitors again so soon. Scary pictures, though. Boud
Boud:
Given it was so contained, I guess it’s easy to barricade the area. Wouldn’t want to sacrifice that income!
Amazing the damage was contained to such a small area. Great job by the first responders!
Bob:
Yes, I was amazed too by how limited the area was.
Fire scares me. I’m so glad they were able to contain it before too much damage was done. What Debra said… a roomba??
Kelly:
Roomba is all I can picture. I need to know what it really was.
The Roombas are out to get us. Not the kind of a hot time you want in town
Anon:
I really want to see what kind of machine it was that shorted out. Until I do, it will be a Roomba.
Fire, when it is burning out of its proscribed boundaries is a primeval shock. At least that’s how I feel about it.
I am so glad that one was controlled quickly. Those who fight fires are warriors. At least that’s how I feel about it.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
I agree with you about firefighters.
Probably a good thing so much the cathedral is made of stone and other harder materials….otherwise there might not be anything left. Now at least they can rebuild the interior. Still hard to watch since many structures aren’t around from such long-ago periods though. We have to protect what we have.
Mistress Borghese:
Absolutely right about all that stone. But I never appreciate how much wood there is. Ceilings, rafters, decor, furniture. The structure has survived since 735 AD. It would be tragic to lose it to fire now.
It’s sad to see a building that’s been around for centuries succumb to fire. Good that didn’t happen.
Kirk:
You’re so right.
I saw that on the news, and was relieved when they reported that the fire brigade had extinguished it so quickly! Lesson learned – don’t rely on bloody robots to do anything unsupervised. The cheapskates running a world heritage site like that should employ people… Jx
Jon:
Ah, progress!
Holy cow! (no pun intended, honestly)
What an amazing thing that they were able to stop the fire with so little area damaged.
Judy C:
Astounding. The damage looks awful, but it could have been a major disaster.
I saw this in the news and thought of you and SG immediately. I wondered if you could see it, but I see above that you didn’t learn about it in time. I’m SO glad the firefighters contained it quickly! It could so easily have become another Notre Dame.
Steve:
They averted a massive tragedy. What a relief.
We heard of it and happy that it was spared more damage. Too many tourists, are they going soon?
larrymuffin:
I’m surprised by the number of tourists here. Either they didn’t read about summer weather in Córdoba before they came, or they don’t care.
Good for them! It is amazing anything old survives given all the hazards in time.
Urspo:
So much has been lost over the centuries due to fire… and people.