The Governing Council has approved the draft of the LIDER Law, which includes the prohibition of open flames, flares, and open fire in public areas of bars and nightclubs. This measure responds to the tragedy at the Burro Canaglia restaurant in 2023 and the fire at Crans Montana.
The Community of Madrid has taken the first step to ban the use of open flames in restaurants, nightclubs, and other leisure venues. The Governing Council approved the draft of the Law for Balanced Development and Promotion in the Region (LIDER) on Wednesday, a text of 327 articles that, among other issues, modifies the Law on Public Shows and Recreational Activities (LEPAR) to prohibit open fire in enclosed areas accessible to the public.
The initiative, which the regional government hopes to see approved in the Assembly of Madrid before the end of the year, arises after two recent tragedies. On April 21, 2023, a fire caused by a flaming pizza at the Burro Canaglia restaurant in Manuel Becerra Square in the capital resulted in the deaths of three people. The rapid spread of the flames, aided by the abundant plastic plant decoration, highlighted the need to tighten safety regulations.
On December 31, another incident shocked public opinion: more than 40 people died in the fire at the Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans Montana, caused by a flare ignited in a champagne bottle. The Minister of Environment, Agriculture, and Interior, Carlos Novillo, acknowledged that these episodes influenced the regional government's decision.
The ban will affect public areas of hospitality and leisure establishments, such as restaurant dining rooms or nightclub dance floors. Excluded are kitchens, industrial facilities, and other expressly authorized spaces that comply with fire prevention regulations. The new rule will prohibit the use of open flames, open fire, flares, candles, pyrotechnic devices, flambé dishes, and any other element that produces combustion in these areas.
The measure partially incorporates one of the claims made by the Regional Federation of Neighbourhood Associations of Madrid (FRAVM) during the public hearing and information process of the LIDER Law. The neighbourhood entity, which has been very critical of the legislative project as a whole, proposed banning any activity that allows the use of open flames or open fire in enclosed areas accessible to the public, except in kitchens or authorized facilities.
However, the FRAVM believes that the modification of the LEPAR should not have been included in an urban planning law like LIDER, but should be subject to a specific regulation. Nevertheless, the regional government has chosen to take advantage of the parliamentary process of the LIDER to introduce these changes, arguing that the safety of citizens is a priority.
The draft of the LIDER, which now begins its journey in the Assembly of Madrid, not only addresses safety in leisure venues. The law, presented as one of the flagship projects of the legislature, aims to expedite urban planning processes and accelerate housing construction. Among other innovations, it replaces the current General Urban Planning Plans with Municipal Strategic Plans, which are approved more quickly, and reduces land classification to three categories.
The prohibition of open flames in restaurants and nightclubs represents a significant change for the hospitality sector, which will need to adapt its practices and equipment. Establishments that use candles, flares, or flambé dishes in their shows or services will need to seek safe alternatives, such as LED lighting or special effects that do not involve combustion. The regulation will also affect celebrations such as New Year's Eve dinners or private events where flares are used.
The Community of Madrid hopes that the new law will be in force before the end of 2026, once the parliamentary process is completed. The regional government has emphasized that the measure aims to prevent new tragedies and improve the safety of citizens in leisure spaces. Meanwhile, the fire at Burro Canaglia remains under judicial investigation, and the Crans Montana fire has left a deep mark on the collective conscience.
For the residents of the Community of Madrid, the prohibition will mean greater peace of mind when visiting restaurants and nightclubs, although it will also imply changes in the leisure offering. Hospitality operators will need to be attentive to the adaptation deadlines set by the law once approved, and the FRAVM will remain vigilant to ensure that the measure is applied rigorously.
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