Firefighters remain deployed at Malaga’s Ibis Hotel after flames and smoke reappeared in the upper floors of the building nearly a week after the fire first broke out, raising further concerns about the future of the heavily damaged structure.
The prolonged incident is increasingly shifting from firefighting operations toward questions surrounding demolition, structural safety and long-term redevelopment.
Fire Reignites Nearly A Week After Initial Blaze
Visible flames and smoke returned to sections of the upper floors around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Fire crews reported that some affected areas remain difficult to access internally, forcing operations to continue primarily from outside the building.
Authorities say renewed flare-ups remain possible while heat trapped inside the structure continues to dissipate.
Fire Began Inside Ground Floor Commercial Space
The incident originally began on Monday, May 25, inside Le Grand Cafe located on the lower levels of the building.
Fire spread rapidly upward through the hotel structure above, causing extensive damage across multiple floors.
No injuries were reported during the incident.
Investigators say the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Heat, Oxygen And Building Conditions Complicated Response
Firefighters have faced difficult conditions throughout the operation due to large quantities of combustible materials, intense heat loads and structural damage.
Broken windows allowed oxygen to continuously enter the building, contributing to repeated flare-ups and complicating extinguishing efforts.
Crews have now spent approximately seven days carrying out continuous suppression, cooling and ventilation operations.
External Operations Continue As Structure Remains Unsafe
Firefighters continue working from both the front and rear of the building using aerial ladders, pumps and external hose systems.
Ventilation openings have been created through roof areas to release accumulated heat and smoke trapped inside damaged sections.
Officials maintain that the situation remains under control despite ongoing hotspots.
Demolition Fears Grow As Expansion Plans Collapse
Before the fire, plans were reportedly underway to significantly expand the hotel through the addition of three extra floors.
Those redevelopment ambitions now appear increasingly uncertain.
According to current assessments, the structure may have suffered irreversible damage and could ultimately require demolition.
Safety Measures Remain In Place Around Site
Owners have installed complete perimeter fencing around the property to reduce risks from falling debris and prevent unauthorized access.
Pedestrian access remains restricted along sections surrounding the site while vehicle traffic continues operating normally nearby.
As firefighting operations continue entering a second week, attention is increasingly turning toward structural assessments that will determine whether any part of the building can ultimately be saved.
