Madrid judge sends six to trial over 2023 restaurant fire that killed three
Owners, a manager and two architects face trial over a blaze that spread from a flambéed pizza at Madrid's Burro Canaglia restaurant.
A Madrid judge has sent six people to trial over a fire at the Burro Canaglia restaurant in 2023 that killed three people, ordering formal proceedings against the business's owners, its manager and two architects, according to ElDiario.es and ABC.
The fire broke out on 21 April 2023 at the restaurant on Manuel Becerra square, when a waiter carrying a flambéed pizza walked past a column covered in dried floral decoration and the flames spread within seconds, ABC reported, citing footage of the incident.
A worker and a customer died in the fire; a third victim died weeks later in intensive care at La Paz hospital, ElDiario.es reported. Staff tried to put out the flames with water, an ice bucket and a fire extinguisher, but the decoration fed the blaze as it spread across the ceiling, according to ABC.
The restaurant was rectangular, with the kitchen at the far end visible to diners across a service bar. Many customers fled towards the street when the fire broke out, while others ran towards the kitchen at the opposite end, ABC reported.
Investigating judge Javier Ignacio Reyes López charged the restaurant's sole administrator, its manager, two administrators of the Foodology Lab franchise, and two architects from the firm Garrigues Retail who carried out the venue's renovation, ElDiario.es reported. They face possible charges of criminal negligence homicide and offences against workers' rights.
A labour inspectorate report cited in the judge's ruling found that Garrigues Retail had not accounted for the flares and candles used to prepare some desserts, and that the owners had taken no preventive measures, had not assessed the risks of the venue, and had not reviewed its fire extinguishing equipment. There was no emergency plan for the premises, the report found, according to ElDiario.es.
The judge also found that the installation of the decoration, ordered by the owners with extra branches and plants beyond what was initially planned, took about three days, during which the installers did not coordinate with or receive instructions from the architects overseeing the renovation, ElDiario.es reported. That failure is why the judge ordered the architects to stand trial alongside the owners.
What we know
- A Madrid judge has sent six people to trial over the 2023 Burro Canaglia restaurant fire, which killed three people.
- The fire started on 21 April 2023 when flames from a flambéed pizza ignited dried decorative foliage, ABC reported.
- Those charged include the restaurant's owners, its manager, and two architects who carried out its renovation, ElDiario.es reported.
- A labour inspectorate report found the venue had no evacuation plan and that fire risks from the decoration were never assessed.
Why it matters for Europe
The ruling could determine financial liability not only for the six people charged but also for the insurers of the restaurant and its franchise, which would have to pay damages if the defendants are convicted, ElDiario.es reported. Burro Canaglia has since gone into liquidation, and its restaurant brand was sold at public auction, according to ABC.
Sources
Reported by 5 reports from 5 independent outlets in 2 countries.
- La Razón: El "cordonazo de San Francisco" golpea Madrid: lluvias en el horizonte
- ElDiario.es: El juez procesa a los dueños y arquitectos del restaurante Burro Canaglia por el incendio de 2023 con tres muertos
- EFE: El juez procesa por homicidio a seis investigados por el incendio de un restaurante en Madrid
- ABC: Incendio con tres muertos en el restaurante de Manuel Becerra: imputados los dueños y los arquitectos
- El País: A juicio por la muerte de tres personas los dueños, arquitectos y gerente del restaurante Burro Canaglia que ardió en Madrid
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Questions and answers
- How many people died in the Burro Canaglia fire?
- Three people died: a worker, a customer, and a third victim who died weeks later in intensive care.
- Who has been charged over the fire?
- Six people, including the restaurant's owners, its manager and two architects who worked on its renovation, a Madrid judge ruled.
- What caused the fire?
- Flames from a flambéed pizza ignited dried decorative foliage on a column, causing the fire to spread rapidly, according to ABC.
This article was written with AI assistance from 5 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.