Forklift Electrical Fault Likely Caused Fire Destroying Andorra Recycling Warehouse

Police in Andorra have identified an electrical fault in a forklift as the likely cause of a fire that destroyed the interior of a 300-square-metre recycling warehouse in Santa Coloma on Monday morning.

The blaze, reported just before 9:45am, engulfed cartons, waste materials, and machinery inside the facility on Avinguda Santa Coloma. A thick plume of smoke was visible across much of central Andorra, drawing attention near the nearby river park and FAF football fields. No workers were present at the time, and no injuries were reported.

Firefighters from the Santa Coloma station responded swiftly with an initial crew, quickly calling in two more units from the central barracks upon assessing the fire's intensity. The highly flammable contents—including cardboard, fuel, and acetylene—posed challenges, but crews contained the flames by around 11am, preventing spread to adjacent structures. The building's main structure remained stable despite significant internal damage.

Police attended the scene to cordon off the area, manage traffic, and support investigations. Early findings point to the forklift malfunction, with no evidence of arson detected so far. Officers continue technical checks to fully rule out criminal involvement before handing the case to insurance assessors.

A police spokesperson indicated to *Diari d'Andorra* that the process to exclude foul play would conclude shortly. The warehouse, part of a paper and cardboard compaction plant roughly 1,200 square metres in total size, sustained heavy material losses.