Málaga's Ibis hotel catches fire again: accident or arson?

Málaga's Ibis hotel catches fire again: accident or arson?

What is going on at the Ibis hotel in Málaga? Almost a month after the first fire, flames have returned to the same building. The news, reported by Diario Sur, does not yet clarify the causes, but online rumour mills are already floating hypotheses ranging from a recurring accident to deliberate arson.

The franchise model under suspicion

One of the most discussed points is the Ibis chain's franchise system. Although Accor is a leading French hotel group, in Spain it operates a large share of its hotels under franchise. This means the real owner may be a local businessperson, not necessarily the multinational. And when a building burns down twice in a month, eyes turn to the owners.

Some analyses suggest the hotel's owner may have side businesses in the area — specifically, nightclubs — and that the fire would be no coincidence: a possible insurance fraud or an act of revenge. However, this version clashes with Málaga's urban reality. Sources familiar with the area deny that such establishments exist near the Ibis, which is located in a central area close to the church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán and the dance conservatory. The clubs, they say, are mostly in industrial estates or areas far from the city centre.

Two fires, one month apart

The first fire broke out at the end of last month. Now, almost thirty days later, the hotel has burned again. The repetition is what fuels suspicion. Firefighters are working to extinguish the blaze while police investigate. For now, there are no arrests and no clear official hypothesis.

Meanwhile, the flames keep making headlines, and conspiracy theorists have a new case to sink their teeth into. The only certainty is that the Ibis in Málaga is not going through its best moment.