Fire on Barcelona metro L1 catenary forces Glòries evacuation, 120 assessed with no serious injuries

What happened

A fire broke out on the overhead catenary of Barcelona metro Line 1 between Glòries and Clot stations on Monday afternoon, sending thick smoke through the tunnel and forcing an immediate evacuation. Passengers were directed to exit Glòries station and the adjoining Clot station was closed. The blaze reportedly originated in the catenary covering, according to emergency services.

Emergency response

The Catalan emergency medical service, SEM, sent 19 ambulances to the scene and evaluated approximately 120 people who had been exposed to smoke. Of those, 58 were found to have mild symptoms, predominantly from smoke inhalation, and one person was in a less serious condition. Three individuals were transported to Hospital del Mar and six to the Sant Martí primary care urgent centre. No cases were considered life-threatening. Protecció Civil activated the FerroCat emergency railway plan after the 112 emergency number received 102 calls from members of the public alerting to the fire.

“Bombers de Barcelona have extinguished the fire on the L1 catenary between Glòries and Clot. Circulation between Sagrera and Clot remains interrupted.”

Service disruptions

The fire cut power to the overhead lines, causing L1 services to be suspended between Universitat and La Sagrera, a central segment that includes Glòries and Clot. Line 2 trains continued to run but did not stop at Clot, where the two lines intersect. Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) deployed alternative bus services to cover the gap. Bus routes H12, V25 and 192 were diverted, with four specific stops cancelled on Independència street at the junction with Meridiana avenue. TMB reported that L1 was operating only between Hospital de Bellvitge and Florida, between Plaça de Sants and Universitat, and between La Sagrera and Fondo, leaving the sections from Florida to Plaça de Sants and from Universitat to La Sagrera without service.

Aftermath and restoration

By 19:58 local time, Barcelona Fire Department had extinguished the blaze, but L1 circulation between Sagrera and Clot remained interrupted as crews inspected the infrastructure. TMB advised passengers to use alternative transport until the line could be fully restored. The cause of the fire was not immediately released.