San Juan Reservoir fire exposes Madrid's elite

San Juan Reservoir fire: Madrid's elite lose their 'beach'

The wildfire affecting the Madrid region and Ávila has scorched thousands of hectares around the San Juan Reservoir, one of the most exclusive residential areas in the region. While the news focuses on the ecological damage, the real earthquake has struck the select circle of second-home owners in the area: Zidane, the Bulgarian royal family, Broncano, Cerezo, the two Carlos Sainzes, Tamara... all of them have voiced their concern over the fire.

Madrid high society's 'beach' goes up in flames

For years, the San Juan Reservoir has been the holiday destination of Madrid's high society, a meeting point where luxury and showing off mix. Now the smoke covers everything. Several owners have phoned their gardeners from their villas in Madrid's poshest neighbourhoods, trying to save whatever they can. The scene borders on tragicomedy: the very people who boasted about their "private beach" now watch as fire knows no class distinctions.

Public indifference to the elite's misfortune

The reaction on social media and in the street is anything but compassion. "The problems of the posh aren't my problems," is a common refrain. The perception that these people own multiple properties and have plenty of resources dilutes any solidarity. While an ordinary citizen would lose their only home, the San Juan Reservoir elite will be haggling with insurers and weighing up their second options.

Fire makes no distinctions, but public opinion does. The image of Carlos Sainz spending the night in his Formula 1 car – according to one source – has become the symbol of a class that, for a moment, finds itself with no alternatives.