Sevilla factory goes up in flames

A DEVASTATING fire destroyed an olive oil bottling plant and factory belonging to Ybarra group in Dos Hermanas, Sevilla, on Saturday (July 16).

The fire, believed to have started due to a magnifying effect of sunlight coming through a window into an area where plastic and wooden packing materials were stored, caused the area to declare a state of emergency and evacuate nearby residences for safety.

Municipal sources reported that the blaze began at about 3.30pm and was under control, although still not out, as night fell.

The factory is a vital part of the group’s operations and employs approximately 200 people, who were horrified to see their workplace go up in flames and were told to take holidays for the time being while the damage is evaluated and the company decides what to do next.