'Burning Pizza' Fire Spreads, Causing Major Blaze... 14 Casualties Reported

Complete Fire at 'Buro Canalia' Restaurant in Madrid, Spain
Fire Started Near the Only Entrance...Damage Escalates

A large fire broke out at a restaurant in Madrid, Spain, famous for its 'Burning Pizza,' completely destroying the establishment and resulting in two deaths.

According to local Spanish media and international outlets such as CNN on the 22nd (local time), the Italian restaurant 'Buro Canalia' located at Manuel Becerra Square in Madrid was entirely consumed by fire on the 21st. Spanish authorities announced that so far, the fire has caused two deaths and 12 serious injuries, with six of the injured in critical condition, indicating that the death toll may rise.

'Burning Pizza' at the Italian restaurant 'Buro Canalia' in Madrid, Spain
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to witnesses, the fire started around 10:45 PM when a restaurant employee set fire to a pizza, and the flames quickly spread to the ceiling and walls. Within seconds, the fire engulfed the entire restaurant.

Initial investigations by Spanish authorities revealed that the flames from the 'Burning Pizza' carried by the employee to a customer's table ignited plastic artificial flowers decorating the ceiling and walls, causing the fire to rapidly engulf the entire establishment. Unfortunately, the fire broke out near the front door, the restaurant's only exit, making it extremely difficult for about 30 customers and staff inside to escape.

Spanish authorities are investigating whether the restaurant used flammable materials for the ceiling and wall decorations, based on witness statements that the employee was carrying the 'Burning Pizza' in one hand and a culinary torch in the other before the incident.

The appearance of Canalia before the fire outbreak
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Spanish daily El Pa?s reported that firefighters dispatched from a fire station located 100 meters from the restaurant extinguished the fire in just nine minutes, yet there were still fatalities and serious injuries. The outlet also quoted an official saying, "If the extinguishing had been delayed by just a few minutes, everyone would have died."

The two deceased have been identified as a customer in their 40s and a restaurant employee, who was reportedly a new hire who started working just a week ago to pursue their dream of becoming a chef.