A fire, reported shortly after 9 pm on Friday, affected the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. The blaze began in the Patio de los Naranjos, near the Puerta de San José, prompting the evacuation of the area around Magistral González Francés Street to allow fire crews to carry out their work.
According to the town's mayor the fire has now been extinguished avoiding a "catastrophic situation".
Five fire engines, a crane, and officers from the National Police were on site, with all access to the monument remaining closed. Municipal sources suggest the fire may have been caused by a short circuit in a floor sweeper located in the Chapel of Almanzor.
The flames and plumes of smoke, visible from various parts of the city, drew numerous local residents, some of whom shared videos of the incident on social media. The Puerta de San José, built in the 10th century and restored in 2017, forms part of this World Heritage site—an iconic blend of Islamic art and Christian architecture following its conversion into a cathedral in 1236.
