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In true Spanish style, when there is a festival to be had, the Region of Murcia certainly gets stuck in, especially if it involves fire, sand and staying up all night. Noche de San Juan, held every year around the summer solstice, is one of Spain’s most beloved traditions. Bonfires are lit on beaches and in the countryside to symbolically burn away bad luck and welcome a season of good fortune. In short, it is a national excuse to stay out late and play with fire.

 

This year’s celebration saw the Emergency Coordination Centre field 223 incidents between 8.00pm on Monday June 23 and 8.00am on Tuesday June 24. That is quite the jump from the 156 logged last year, and an impressive show of enthusiasm for setting things alight.

 

The majority of calls were fire related – 120 in total, including 38 flaming rubbish containers, 13 brush fires, and a smattering of incidents in schools (9) and private homes (19). Public mischief also made an appearance, with 46 reports of disorder and 11 for loud noise, as if that is surprising on a night when fireworks and beach bonfires are practically compulsory.

 

Cartagena and Murcia city unsurprisingly led the way with 160 and 93 incidents respectively, followed by Lorca (11), Molina de Segura (9) and Totana (9).

 

In Cartagena, local emergency crews stayed busy but in control. The CEIS and Civil Protection teams tackled 57 fires, including 24 in brush or vegetation, many near homes and nature areas like La Aljorra, Molinos Marfagones, and the surroundings of Castillo de los Moros. There were also 27 bin fires in neighbourhoods such as Santa Lucía and El Bohío, plus a few smoky scares in buildings, including one at the Caridad Hospital. And one poor seven-year-old in Cala Cortina ended the night with a firecracker burn.

 

Even so, authorities confirmed that no serious damage or injuries were reported. Just a lot of running around for Murcia’s emergency services, and possibly a few singed eyebrows.

 

As festival season rumbles on, it is a safe bet that San Juan will not be the last excuse for lighting things on fire in the name of tradition. But here’s hoping next year’s celebrations are just a little less… flammable.

 

 

Image: Eneida Mattou/Pixabay