A dramatic rescue took place in Formentera on the night of September 9 after a fire broke out at a private home, forcing the Guardia Civil to physically remove an elderly couple from the property.

The couple, an 86-year-old man and an 80-year-old woman, initially refused to leave despite the rapidly developing fire and the presence of several butane gas cylinders inside the affected garage.

Fire Breaks Out in the Garage

The emergency call was received at around 8:30pm, alerting officers to a large fire at a house in Formentera.

When Guardia Civil officers arrived, they found flames already fully developed inside a garage attached to the property, creating a serious risk that the fire could spread into the main house.

The 86-year-old man was found outside attempting to fight the fire himself with a garden hose, while the 80-year-old woman remained inside the home.

Butane Cylinders Increased the Danger

The situation became particularly dangerous when officers discovered several butane cylinders inside the garage.

Their presence significantly increased the potential risk to the couple and anyone else nearby, prompting the officers to take immediate action rather than allowing the residents to remain at the property.

Couple Initially Refused to Leave

Despite the scale of the fire, the couple initially refused to abandon their home.

According to the Guardia Civil account, their attachment to the property led them to resist the officers' instructions to move to safety.

The agents ultimately had to physically remove both residents from the house and take them to a safe area away from the flames and the gas cylinders.

Emergency Services Arrive

A local police patrol, an ambulance and several firefighting vehicles subsequently joined the operation.

The response included two pump trucks and a firefighter vehicle equipped with a pump, which carried out the extinguishing work.

The Guardia Civil arrived before the firefighting services and their intervention proved crucial in getting the couple away from the immediate danger.

No Victims Reported

The incident ended without the fire resulting in fatalities.

The case highlights the particular risks that can arise when domestic fires occur close to combustible materials or gas cylinders, especially when residents remain inside an affected property.

In Formentera, the quick intervention of the Guardia Civil prevented what could have become a far more serious incident.

A Narrow Escape in Formentera

The September 9 fire is a reminder of how quickly a domestic fire can become life-threatening.

With the flames already active in an attached garage and several butane cylinders present, remaining at the property would have exposed the elderly couple to significant danger.

The Guardia Civil ultimately intervened physically to remove them, allowing firefighters to concentrate on extinguishing the blaze and securing the area.