Intentional fire destroys the interior of IES Mediterraneo De Garrucha

According to multiple sources, the Mediterranean IES of Garrucha was destroyed by flames set in an intentional fire at dawn on Sunday. The Civil Guard of Almeria opened an investigation to clarify the facts. The town council asks for citizen cooperation to locate those responsible.

At ten minutes past midnight, several neighbors called the 112 Andalusia Emergency Service to report a possible fire at Garrucha's Mediterranean Secondary School.

The Levante Firefighters Consortium and Civil Guard were immediately notified. They then traveled to the scene with the public health emergency service company (EPES-061)

The educational center was inaugurated in 2003/2004 and is located near the soccer field and the municipal pavilion.

They were able verify that nobody was in the building, and firefighters then extinguished the flames. The incident did not result in any injuries.

The Judicial Police of Garrucha has launched an investigation by the Civil Guard of Almeria to determine the source of the flames. These flames, IDEAL learned, occurred at four to five points in the center educational.

First indications are that the fire crew knew the building well. They entered through the back door and were able to disable security cameras before setting off the flames.

Members of the Scientific Police as well as the Levante Fire Department continued their work on Sunday morning. The reception is the most damaged area in the whole building. This is where, among other things, the Center's Management, Counseling office, and Teachers' Room are located. There are at least ten classrooms that have sustained severe damage.

The entire building was affected by the smoke. It is a tragedy, but we are certain that the fire was intentionally set. Garrucha City Council officials reported that the damage was irreparable.

This was how the educational center was received. / IDEAL

The dome at the entrance to the building is visible as it has collapsed. Many electrical and internet installations were also affected. Although the perpetrators attempted to set fire to the desks and chairs of students, they failed to do so as they were made from fireproof materials.

They have condemned the "terrible act of vandalism" from the Garruchero Conistory and asked residents to help find the culprits as soon as possible. They stated that acts of this nature cannot be tolerated.

Sources of investigation claim that "whoever entered the building knew it well", as sources have indicated. According to the initial indications, there were four to five fire sources. They lamented that they had tried to burn it all.

Around half a million students attend classes at the IES Mediterraneo every day, since classes are offered from the 1st year ESO to the 2nd year Baccalaureate.

Although it is likely that Antonio Jimenez and technicians from Junta de Andalucia will be present tomorrow to assess the damage to the building and to determine its stability, everything suggests that students won't be able to return to school for at most a few more weeks.

Fire damage. / IDEAL

The Directorate of the center informed parents that the center will remain closed until the facilities can be verified and the children are able to go there safely.

The Education Delegation has already begun to reorganize students. Classes will continue to be held online for the moment.

This Sunday night, hundreds of garrucheros assembled in Plaza Pedro Gea in front of Town Hall "to reject any act that threatens the education."

Numerous neighbors condemned the events. / J.S.A.

The Civil Guard has not made any arrests at the moment. It works against the clock in an effort to identify those responsible for some of the events that caused a stir in this municipality of Levante Almeria.