Cartagena Engulfed: Shocking Fire, Is the City Safe?!

A thick, black plume of smoke cast a pall over Cartagena and neighboring towns on Monday, January 26th, after a fire erupted at a fuel distillation unit within the Repsol-operated Escombreras Refinery. I actually saw the plume myself from a good few miles away – it was quite a sight, and understandably caused a lot of alarm.

Cartagena Engulfed: Shocking Fire, Is the City Saf...

The fire, which started just before 6:00 PM, was thankfully localized to one of the older sections of the sprawling Refinery complex. What's reassuring is that it was reportedly isolated from the core production units. Repsol officials were quick to reassure both local and regional authorities, confirming that no injuries had been reported and, crucially, that there was no risk of the fire spreading further. The company's dedicated on-site fire station took the lead in battling the blaze, and according to reports, they successfully extinguished it by 11:05 PM that same evening.

Of course, the immediate focus is on preventing further incidents, so an official investigation has already been launched to determine exactly what caused the fire to break out in the first place. We'll be following that closely.

Even though the fire was contained relatively quickly, local councils weren't taking any chances. Residents were advised to stay indoors and avoid any unnecessary outdoor activities because of the sheer volume of smoke released into the atmosphere. The town of La Union even went so far as to suspend all outdoor and sporting events. Similar precautions were advised for those living in Alumbres, a town situated less than two kilometers from the refinery.

And it wasn't just a general advisory either. Nearly 30,000 residents across La Union, Alumbres, Escombreras itself, and Portman received a jarring ES-Alert on their mobile phones. The message warned them about a "toxic cloud affecting the Escombreras Valley industrial park," urging everyone to "close doors and windows tightly" and "prevent outside air from entering." Those in vehicles were instructed to stay inside, keep windows and vents closed, and, if possible, move away from the affected area. Imagine getting that notification! Must have been a tense few hours for everyone.

Thankfully, incidents of this magnitude are relatively rare in Escombreras. The refinery has a long history, though, and the most serious event previously was a devastating fire back in the 1960s, which unfortunately resulted in five deaths and numerous injuries. This latest incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks involved in industrial operations, but also of the improvements in safety measures over the decades.

Ultimately, thanks to the prompt and effective response of the refinery's fire team, the fire was brought under control relatively quickly. While Monday afternoon's event undoubtedly caused a great deal of anxiety and disruption, it appears that it was, in the end, "just" a scare. Still, a very significant one.

*By Natascha Rivera • Updated: 27 Jan 2026 • 1:42 • 2 minutes read*