Mercado Central de València reopens after basement fire

The Mercado Central de València has reopened following an emergency evacuation caused by a basement fire on Thursday. While the facility has resumed its usual operating hours, the reopening is hampered by significant electrical issues.

At the start of Friday morning, 45 stalls were without electricity. Although some vendors have managed to use emergency outlets to power essential equipment like scales, many remain unable to operate. Specifically, all stalls requiring three-phase power are currently unable to open. The affected area is concentrated between the Lonja door and the market center, though the fishmonger section and the area toward Avenida del Oeste are functioning normally.

Authorities, including Valencia Mayor María José Catalá and spokesperson Juan Carlos Caballero, indicated that the fire likely originated from an electrical panel in the meter room. Scientific police are currently investigating the exact cause. Repairs to the electrical infrastructure cannot begin until the official investigation is concluded.