Ten fire crews from the Community of Madrid extinguished the flames during the early hours. The building, dedicated to the production of tortillas and totopos, has been destroyed, but there are no casualties.
A fire that broke out at two in the morning on Thursday has completely burned down the plant that the company Maíz Maya has at Calle Calabozos, 5, in Alcobendas. The fire, which started inside the building, has caused extremely severe material and structural damage, although no workers or neighbours were injured, according to the Emergency Services 112 of the Community of Madrid.
Ten fire crews from the Community of Madrid and a preventive unit from SAMUR were mobilised to the scene. The flames affected the entire facility, but the teams managed to contain the fire within the perimeter of the building, thus preventing it from spreading to adjacent industrial buildings. The spokesperson for 112, Pilar Rodríguez, stated that it was not necessary to evacuate any nearby homes.
The Maíz Maya factory was dedicated to the production of tortillas, totopos, and other food products inspired by Mexican cuisine. The incident leaves its 46 workers in a state of maximum uncertainty, as they have suddenly lost their workplace. Company sources have not made any statements yet regarding the future of the staff or the possible causes of the fire.
The mayor of Alcobendas, Rocío García Alcántara, was one of the first authorities to react. Through her social media, the mayor recalled her visit to the factory during her candidacy and highlighted the more than ten years of the company's presence in the municipality. García Alcántara assured that the City Council will collaborate with the company to facilitate the processes that allow the activity to resume in Alcobendas.
The causes of the fire are still unknown. Firefighters remained in the area throughout the night carrying out cooling and structural inspection tasks to prevent possible collapses. The building, which is about 2,000 square meters, has been rendered practically unusable, according to initial assessments.
This incident represents a severe blow to the industrial fabric of Alcobendas, where Maíz Maya was one of the most recognised food companies. Founded in 2013, the company had grown in recent years to distribute its products throughout the Community of Madrid and other regions. The uncertainty now centres on the continuity of the business and the future of the employees, who are awaiting news from management.
The City Council of Alcobendas has activated social care services for the affected workers and has made itself available to the company to expedite the necessary procedures. Meanwhile, the investigation into the fire remains open to determine whether it was accidental or deliberate.
Local residents have expressed their concern about the smoke and burnt smell that spread during the early hours, although health authorities have ruled out health risks. The air quality in the area has not exceeded alert levels, according to measurements taken.
From the Community of Madrid, the Minister of Presidency, Justice and Local Administration, Miguel Ángel García Martín, has conveyed his support to the workers and offered the regional government's collaboration for whatever is necessary. In a message on the social network X, he thanked the firefighters for their work and highlighted that there were no personal casualties to lament.
This fire adds to other industrial incidents that have occurred in the Henares Corridor and the Metropolitan North in recent years, although none of them have resulted in injuries. Authorities remind the importance of maintaining preventive measures in industrial buildings, especially those that store flammable materials.
The company Maíz Maya has not provided a date for reopening nor confirmed whether it will maintain its activity in Alcobendas or seek a new location. The workers, for their part, hope to be called to a meeting in the coming days to learn about their employment situation.
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