Overheating Computer Sparks Small Fire in Andorra Parking Garage

Firefighters extinguished a small fire in a storage room at the Prat Gran parking facility in Escaldes-Engordany, caused by an overheating computer that filled underground levels with dense smoke.

The alert reached emergency services at 2:41 p.m., prompting three firefighter units to respond: two from Andorra la Vella with five agents and one from La Massana with three, plus a light vehicle with the shift officer, for a total of nine personnel. The blaze started on the minus-one floor in a traster where the device—plugged in but not in use—overloaded and ignited undetected. Smoke traveled up extractor tubes to higher levels and into the connected Illa Carlemany parking area, initially obscuring the exact origin.

Responders focused on smoke extraction, cooling the area, and verifying no toxic residues or additional damage. Losses were limited to the computer, which was destroyed, and the table beneath it. The equipment belonged to a car wash company that had recently left the space.

Police, including around six municipal traffic agents, and a SUM medical unit attended per protocol. No injuries occurred. Constitució Street closed fully to handle traffic and secure the site until carbon monoxide levels normalized. Council technicians and parking operators stood by as required.

Operations wrapped up after 4:00 p.m., with final readings confirming safe air quality and full access restored. Fire units cleared the scene around 4:45 p.m., normalizing traffic flow.

An early theory linked the incident to nearby sports pavilion gear, but checks confirmed the parking traster as the source. No structural harm resulted, and vehicle entry resumed promptly. Officials are still examining the overload's cause.