Fire Contained at Córdoba Mosque-Cathedral, No Injuries

A fire broke out around 9 pm on Friday at the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Spain, prompting a swift response from emergency crews. The blaze began in a lateral chapel, with local media suggesting a battery malfunction in a cleaning machine as a possible cause, though investigations are ongoing. Firefighters managed to contain the fire within an hour, and no injuries have been reported. Thick smoke and flames were visible throughout the city, which was experiencing a severe heat wave at the time. The historic building, originally constructed as a mosque in the 8th century and converted to a cathedral in the 13th century, attracts about two million visitors annually. Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage and focusing on preservation efforts.