worst fire in Madrid's history

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Madrid's Biggest Fire Destroys Skyscraper

Sun Feb 13, 9:05 AM ET



By Jesus Aguado and Daniel Flynn

MADRID (Reuters) - A fire described as the worst in Madrid's history ravaged a 32-story skyscraper in the Spanish capital's financial district on Sunday, causing no injuries, but the tower stayed upright despite fears of collapse.

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Slideshow Slideshow: Fire Engulfs Madrid Skyscraper

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More than 200 firefighters worked all night to quell the spectacular blaze in the Windsor building, the city's eighth largest tower that looms over the northern financial district.

"We have confronted the most extensive fire that this city has ever had," Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz Gallardon said.

Seven firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation.

The flames had died down by Sunday afternoon but the fire was not declared under control.

"You can't say there is total certainty that it won't fall down," Javier Sanz, fire chief for the Madrid region, told local television.

At its peak, the fire lit up the Madrid sky like a huge torch as temperatures inside reached 1,000 degrees centigrade.

Bright orange flames devoured the 106-meter-high building from the top down, stripping away its metal shell in twisted pieces to expose a smoldering concrete skeleton.

Giant balls of flame billowed up into the night as parts of its sides collapsed, raining fire on to the street below. Surrounding buildings were evacuated and roads blocked.

Officials said an electrical short circuit was the probable cause of the blaze which began on the 21st floor.

The building, which houses the offices of U.S. accounting firm Deloitte & Touche, was completed in 1979.

It lies next to a huge department store and just a short distance from the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, home to Real Madrid football club.

Streets, shops and offices in the area and some sections of the Metro network will remain closed until officials are sure the building is safe, Ruiz Gallardon said.

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was due to visit the scene on Sunday afternoon.

The blazing tower evoked memories for many Spaniards of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York.