Europe · updated 1h ago · 2 min read
Fire Devastates La Querola Luxury Housing Complex in Ordino, Andorra
La Querola d’Ordino, seven-building luxury complex designed by Jean Nouvel, was destroyed while unoccupied. No injuries or fatalities reported despite the widespread destruction.
13 outlets told this the same way.
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Andorra luxury complex fire
A fire devastated the La Querola luxury housing complex in the parish of Ordino, Andorra, after firefighters were alerted at 1:45 a.m. and the blaze spread across seven buildings that were still unoccupied. Eduard Betriu, Ordino’s deputy consul, described the destruction as a “disaster” in a government statement, saying it was “a unique and emblematic project for Ordino, which was to become an architectural and urban reference.” The fire consumed 10,000 square meters of housing and 12,000 square meters of parking, and it left no personal injuries reported as the flames were brought under control.
“Firefighters intervened after being alerted at 1:45 a.m.”
The Government of Andorra said the site was “completely ravaged,” and the fire affected the seven slate-walled buildings and the 52 Querola d’Ordino housing units to varying degrees. The managers of Querola d’Ordino said they were “closely collaborating with authorities, insurers, and other parties involved to manage the situation with the greatest diligence.”
Scale, response, and cause
Ordino’s deputy consul, Eduard Betriu, said four blocks were completely destroyed, and the complex consisted of 51 homes spread over seven buildings, with the blaze originating in the central block. Authorities activated a wide deployment of 34 responders and 14 fire crews, and the operation also included two additional crews from the Catalan Generalitat’s Bombers from Seu d’Urgell (Lleida). El Mundo said the 51 homes ranged from 345 to 690 square meters, with prices between 2,380,000 and 6,250,000 euros, while the fire’s causes of origin were not yet known.
The La Veu Lliure account said Ester Molné confirmed that six of the seven blocks were affected and that the spread toward the forest was under control, while firefighters continued extinguishing operations. Juanjo Barrio, director of the firefighters, warned that there was still “a lot of embers and a lot of work to do,” and he said the risk of collapse hindered access to some spaces.
Aftermath and what’s next
The Government of Andorra and local officials emphasized that there were no victims or injuries because the development was not yet inhabited, and the fire was still being extinguished with hotspots remaining. Ester Molné said, “The fire is under control and, thanks to the rapid response of the emergency services, we have been able to prevent the flames from spreading to neighboring buildings or to the nearby forest,” while the intervention continued to address lingering risks. Eduard Betriu said the destruction of the development was “a very important loss,” and he called it a “disaster” because it was a unique and emblematic project for Ordino.
La Dépêche du Midi quoted Ester Molné saying, “It is too early to speculate,” as authorities gathered first clues and kept the origin of the fire under investigation. The emergency teams’ priority remained protecting the nearby forest area around the complex, and responders continued house-by-house work to remove debris and hunt for possible embers.