Huge Smoke Cloud Over Benidorm as Fire Tears Through Former Nightclub

A huge column of black smoke was seen across Benidorm after a fire broke out at the city's former Manssion nightclub.

The blaze started shortly after midday on Wednesday at the abandoned building in the Armanello area, close to Avenida de la Comunidad Valenciana.

Several crews from the Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium were sent to the scene from the Benidorm and Benissa fire stations.

The fire generated a large plume of black smoke which could be seen from across parts of the resort.

Local Police closed nearby roads while firefighters tackled the blaze, including the junction of Avenida de la Comunidad Valenciana with Avenida Europa and Avenida Severo Ochoa.

Around five people staying inside the abandoned building were evacuated, along with people from nearby properties.

Three ambulances also attended the incident.

Medical teams treated two women who were suffering from anxiety and problems linked to alcohol and drug consumption.

Firefighters eventually brought the blaze under control.

The cause of the fire has not been confirmed.

The building was once home to Manssion, one of Benidorm's best-known nightclubs during the resort's electronic music era.

The club opened around the turn of the millennium and became particularly well known among fans of hardcore, makina and other forms of electronic dance music.

It hosted DJs and major events before eventually closing, leaving the building abandoned.

Wednesday's fire was not the first to affect the former nightclub. A previous fire was reported at the building in 2018.

The latest incident has once again drawn attention to the long-abandoned property, which remains a familiar landmark for people travelling through the Armanello area.

Firefighters confirmed that the latest blaze was extinguished after crews worked at the scene.