The blaze left the inside of Rebel’s Bar in Santa Ponsa badly damaged as pictures from the scene showed.
More than 24 apartments above the Irish-owned drinking hole had to be evacuated during the drama, which happened around 9.30am this morning when it was still closed.
The blaze left the inside of Rebel’s Bar in Santa Ponsa badly damaged as pictures from the scene showed.
Damage caused to Rebel’s Bar in Santa Ponsa. Photo: Solarpix.com
It has been linked to an electrical short-circuit on a neon sign outside the pub in party strip Ramon de Montcada.
One of those who suffered smoke inhalation was a Civil Guard mobilised to help evacuate the apartment block above.
Emergency services attend the fire at the Rebel’s Irish Pub. Photo: Solarpix.com
News in 90 Seconds,Wednesday, September 10
The other was a woman said to have been rescued “semi-conscious” from one of the flats. It was not immediately clear today if she was a holidaymaker or resident and where she was from.
The fire was brought under control around 10.30am local time.
An investigation into the blaze, which occurred just over a fortnight after an Irish-owned pub in the Costa del Sol resort of Torremolinos was gutted in a massive fire that affected seven other neighbouring bars and a supermarket, was ongoing this morning.
Regulars at Rebel’s Bar describe it in online travel reviews as an “excellent venue” with “proper Irish music.”
One said following a recent visit: “Owners Robbie and Breda and the bar staff were so nice every time we called in.
“Fergal the musician was excellent proper Irish music and Irish Owned bar which is hard to find. Not just a shamrock over the door like most others. Would highly recommend for couples or families.”
Another wrote: “Great pints and lovely staff! Food hits the spot and 9 euro for 2 Bacardi breeders is definitely a bargain. Great live music in the evening too.”
The owners of McGuire’s Irish Cafe & Bar in Torremolinos spoke of their heartbreak last month following an August 24 blaze at their premises.
Paul Kearns, originally from Dublin, and former Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology student Gavin McGuire said they had suffered a “devastating loss” in an anguished social media post and admitted they were “struggling to process” what had happened.
Gavin, a former senior manager at Sheraton Athlone Hotel and former deputy manager at Nox Hotel Galway, said in a message he and Paul posted online the day after the drama: “Dear friends. Paul and I are utterly heartbroken and in shock
“Waking up to the news that our bar, along with our neighbour’s, was lost in a fire is beyond belief and we are struggling to process this
“This is a devastating loss for us, and a deeply sad day for our community.
“We are okay, and we will get through this together. We appreciate your support. Thank you. Love Paul & Gavin.”
Police said afterwards they were investigating following local reports it could have been linked to an arson attack on a neighbouring business.