Un Fire at a plastics recycling plant in Yeles (Toledo) generated a large column of smoke and activated a large emergency response system. The flames, which affected stored plastic material both inside and outside, they damaged three ships from the complex, with no injuries reported as the staff evacuated themselves.
The fire started shortly after 18:30 p.m. and forced to interrupt the high-speed rail traffic nearby for about four hours; traffic was restored around 22:00. Early in the morning, 112 confirmed that the fire was limited, although the teams continued working to extinguish and cool the area.
What is known about the fire
The flames started in the interior of the ship and spread rapidly to outdoor plastic stockpiles, creating a thick column of black smoke visible from several kilometers away, even from cameras on the A-42. The plant, located in the La Torrecilla Chica industrial estate (Calle Torrecilla Chica) and operated by Ligeplas, is just a few meters from the railway.
The mayor of Yeles, MarÃa José Ruiz, highlighted the great virulence of the episode and the structural collapse of the main nave, stressing that There were no personal injuries thanks to the rapid evacuation of the template.
Since their arrival, the firefighters established lines of defense to protect offices, a diesel tank and the catenary of the railway line, while the spotlights on the facade and rear area were attacked to contain the spread and reduce the thermal load.
The fire also affected bushes adjacent to the road, which complicated the intervention due to the proximity to the railway infrastructure and the low visibility caused by the smoke accumulated in the surrounding area.
The operation involved CPEIS endowments of the province (parks such as Villarrubia and Orgaz, among others), and later Firefighters from the Community of Madrid joined with heavy nurses and high-flow monitors, reinforcing control of the perimeter and hot spots.
Trains stopped, public notices and ground operations
The dense cloud forced cut off the AVE traffic Madrid-Andalusia and the AVANT Madrid-Toledo for almost four hours due to the visibility and proximity to the overhead lines. ADIF reported a Twenty trains affected, with at least 12 trains stopped at different points and 7 cancellations. After the reopening, the trains ran with limited speed in the affected section.
On land, they participated Civil Guard, Yeles Local Police, Forest Agents and an ambulance in preventive, in addition to groups of Civil Protection from nearby municipalities such as Seseña, Borox and Esquivias, who collaborated in logistical support and beaconing.
The Emergency Service 112 confirmed the demarcation of the fire during the early morning, with finishing and restoring work still underway at first hour. The coordinated action allowed Protect critical infrastructure adjacent areas and keep staff safe.
Several town councils in the region of The Sagra They recommended that citizens remain attentive to the instructions by the possible smoke toxicity from the combustion of plastic materials and from changes in wind direction.
Local authorities have expressed their gratitude for the quick response of all the displaced personnel and inter-institutional support, key to stabilize the situation and gradually normalize the affected services.
The investigation of the causes of fire at the plastics recycling plant The focus is now on determining the starting point and the circumstances that favored the spread, while the teams finalize surveillance efforts to prevent revivals.
With the perimeter secured and no casualties, the focus shifts to the assessment of damage to all three ships affected and the schedule for restoring the activity, subject to technical reports and the review of the railway infrastructure adjacent.
The magnitude of the event highlights the operational challenges at facilities with large plastic stockpiles for recycling, where combustion generates dense smoke and high thermal loads, requiring high-capacity media and coordination between services.
After the reopening of the high-speed line and with the fire contained, the administrations insist on take extreme precautions In the surrounding area, follow official recommendations and avoid unnecessary travel in the areas closest to the industrial area while the tasks are completed.
The provisional balance leaves no injuries, three ships damaged and one temporary impact in railway mobility, with a joint action of provincial firefighters and the Community of Madrid that allowed contain the fire and safeguard sensitive infrastructure.