The José Caballero Municipal Sports Centre in Alcobendas has become a reception centre for 165 people evacuated from Navalagamella due to the forest fire affecting the southwest of the Community of Madrid.
Since Wednesday night, the José Caballero Municipal Sports Centre in Alcobendas has been an improvised shelter for 165 people who had to leave their homes in Navalagamella because of the forest fire ravaging the southwest of the Community of Madrid. The evacuees arrived by bus around 9:00 PM and were welcomed by the mayor, Rocío García Alcántara, and the councillor for Civil Protection and Emergencies, Carlos Rodrigo.
The decision to enable the sports facilities was made after the City Council responded to a request for collaboration from the Community of Madrid. Initially, several air-conditioned pavilions with a capacity for around 400 people were made available to the Madrid 112 Security and Emergency Agency, including the Amaya Valdemoro Pavilion and Pavilion B of the complex.
“Alcobendas stands by those suffering from the largest fire in the history of the Community of Madrid, and that is why we want to welcome this group of evacuees from Navalagamella as if they were neighbours of Alcobendas,” declared the mayor during the reception.
The reception operation involves the participation of the Madrid 112 Security and Emergency Agency, Red Cross, the Military Emergency Unit (UME), Civil Protection volunteers, and the Local Police of Alcobendas. The City Council mobilised nearly 300 chairs to improve the living conditions and reinforced waste collection with new containers inside and around the pavilion.
Several companies have joined the solidarity response. Carrefour donated 250 dinners and 250 breakfasts, while the Urrechu restaurant provided additional food to cater for the displaced. Furthermore, individuals have selflessly contributed during the initial hours of the reception.
The City Council's collaboration is not limited to providing spaces. Two municipal vehicles have also been made available to the emergency response: a transport van to support evacuations and a 4x4 Civil Protection vehicle, which are integrated into the operation coordinated by regional authorities.
While the emergency continues, the City Council has made a call for prevention. Local Police and Civil Protection remind everyone of the importance of taking precautions given the high risk of forest fires, avoiding behaviours such as throwing cigarette butts, using lighters in forest areas, or lighting bonfires and barbecues.
The evacuees will remain in the municipal facilities while the situation evolves. The expectation is that they will be able to return to their homes once the authorities deem it safe, although there is currently no specific date.
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