Firefighters Extinguish Blaze Destroying 1,200 sqm Warehouse at Andorran Recycling Plant

Firefighters fully extinguished a fire that destroyed the interior of a 1,200-square-metre warehouse at a paper and cardboard recycling plant in Santa Coloma on 6 April 2026, with no injuries reported.

The blaze broke out shortly before 9:45am at the compaction facility on Avinguda Santa Coloma, generating a thick smoke column visible across central Andorra, including areas near the river park and FAF football pitches. No workers were present at the time, emergency services confirmed.

Santa Coloma station crews responded immediately upon alert, but the fire's rapid spread—fueled by stored cardboard bales, diesel fuel, and acetylene cylinders—prompted calls for reinforcements. Two additional units from the central station joined, bringing the total to three fire trucks. Police secured the site, cordoned off the area, and managed local traffic.

Despite the hazardous materials and risks to machinery like compaction presses, responders contained the flames by around 11am, preventing spread to nearby structures. The building's exterior held firm, though the interior suffered extensive damage.

One report mentioned a smaller 300-square-metre area affected, but emergency officials cited 1,200 square metres as the warehouse's size. An investigation into the cause continues, with no findings released.