Fire in a building occupied by 40 squatters in Gran Canaria

A building in Vecindario (Gran Canaria) owned by a bank and housing 40 squatters, had to be evacuated by court order yesterday (Wednesday) after a fire broke out in the property. The building has been reported several times to both the Council and the police, following several altercations with nearby residents.

The fire was allegedly caused by some young squatters who set fire to rubbish after seeing that the community of the complex next door was going to install aluminium framing with a polycarbonate sheet, to try and separate themselves from the dirt and foul smell caused by the rubbish that the squatters continue just dumped outside the complex.

The building is located between Calle Goya and Calle Tenerife at the entrance of Avenida de Canarias, and has been occupied illegally for almost twelve years.

Firefighters were first to arrive at the scene, and sealed off the building, along with the Special Operations Group (GEO) and the Guardia Civil, to proceed with the evacuation, during which altercations occurred between the squatters and the officers.

The building continues to be guarded by the Guardia Civil to prevent the re-entry of the people who occupied it as it is deemed too dangerous to be in.