The Costa del Sol faced two significant fires this week, both causing major disruption but thankfully no injuries. Fires broke out at Aqualand Waterpark in Torremolinos and the Holiday World Resort hotel complex in nearby Benalmádena.
Aqualand Torremolinos Fire
On Wednesday, 4 December, a fire ignited at Aqualand Torremolinos at around 3.40 pm. It is thought to have been caused by a spark during welding work, which set one of the attractions alight. The blaze began near the 17-metre Speed Racer slide, next to the popular Kamikaze ride. Flames destroyed the slide, sending a massive smoke plume visible for miles.
Fire crews from Torremolinos, Benalmádena, and Malaga managed to extinguish the blaze within an hour, but not before the slide was completely destroyed. Quick action by park staff and emergency services prevented the fire from spreading further. The emergency hotline received over 50 calls as concerned residents spotted the smoke.
Torremolinos’ mayor, Margarita del Cid, thanked the emergency teams for their swift response. Aqualand, celebrating its 40th anniversary, is undergoing extensive renovations, including a redesign of the Kamikaze slide into a giant volcano.
Benalmádena hotel resort evacuation
Just a day later, on Thursday, 5 December, another fire broke out. This time, it was at the Holiday World Resort in Benalmádena Costa at around 5.40 pm. The fire started on the roof of a beach bar near the pool and spread through a glass facade into the building.
Firefighters from Benalmádena, Fuengirola, and Mijas attended the scene, supported by local and national police. As smoke spread throughout the resort, over 700 guests and staff were evacuated. Those evacuated were accommodated in nearby hotels, and no injuries were reported, though the building suffered extensive smoke and fire damage.
Local impact
Both incidents caused disruption, with significant local traffic issues. In Torremolinos, smoke led to concern in nearby recreational areas and caused congestion on key routes. In Benalmádena, the mass evacuation of hundreds of guests drew significant attention. Despite the damage, no casualties were reported in either incident.
The rapid response from emergency teams helped prevent further escalation, ensuring both fires remained contained to the initial areas.