A fire has forced the evacuation and shutdown of the Vicky Foods-Dulcesol food factory, which occupies almost the entire El Rejolar industrial estate in Gandia, Valencia. The fire broke out shortly after eleven in the morning on Wednesday in one of the factory’s 16 production lines. Only two people required medical attention for smoke inhalation, and 15 firefighting teams from the Valencia Provincial Fire Consortium are working to extinguish the blaze. The multinational company’s safety protocols have been effective, and efforts are underway to resume operations in the coming hours.
The fire was reported at 11:21 am, and a thick column of smoke could be seen from Gandia and surrounding areas, indicating that the flames were spreading through the factory’s two floors. Around 400 employees were working at the time. Initially, five fire teams were dispatched to the industrial area, but by 12:30, 15 firefighting teams were on site battling the fire. As of mid-afternoon, the fire was not yet fully under control. Workers were evacuated safely and without incident, with two individuals receiving medical attention for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is currently unknown and will be investigated by the National Police once the fire is extinguished.
Gandia Mayor José Manuel Prieto reported that the fire originated in a piece of machinery used for baking called an “anaconda.” He praised the effectiveness of both the company’s emergency protocols and the response from emergency services, noting that there were no injuries. While the fire was contained to a specific area, the use of flammable materials and high temperatures may have spread it to other parts of the factory. Fortunately, the company plans to resume operations as soon as possible. Vicky Foods-Dulcesol, founded in 1952, is a key food group in the area, employing many local residents and contributing significantly to the economy of La Safor region.
Vicky Foods-Dulcesol has four factories across Valencia and Algeria, with the Gandia plant being the company’s headquarters. The affected facility covers over 47,000 square meters and employs over 850 people. It operates 16 production lines, manufacturing a variety of pastry and bakery products, exporting to more than 50 countries. In 2022, the company reported a revenue of 536 million euros and produced over 203,000 tons of 350 different products. The fire has had a significant impact on the local community and economy, highlighting the importance of the company to the region.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols in preventing and managing emergencies in industrial settings. The swift response from emergency services and the cooperation of all parties involved helped ensure the safety of employees and mitigate the damage caused by the fire. As efforts continue to extinguish the blaze and determine the cause, the community stands in solidarity with Vicky Foods-Dulcesol and looks forward to the company’s swift recovery and resumption of operations.
