Tenerife Launches Heritage Protection Initiative 20 Years After Casa Salazar Fire
Twenty years after the destruction of the Casa Salazar, the Tenerife Island Council has launched a specialized initiative to improve emergency response and fire prevention strategies for the region's historical landmarks.
Twenty years after a devastating fire destroyed the Casa Salazar in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, the city—a UNESCO World Heritage site—is using the anniversary to strengthen how it protects its historical landmarks. The Tenerife Island Council (Cabildo de Tenerife) has launched a new initiative to improve how emergency teams respond to fires involving heritage buildings.
Coordinated by the island’s Fire Consortium, the project moves beyond simply reacting to disasters, focusing instead on comprehensive prevention. This September, the city will host a forum bringing together government officials, property owners, and emergency responders to develop better, more coordinated safety plans.
Because historical buildings require specialized care, the program includes workshops throughout June and July. These sessions will train firefighters, forest brigades, and civil protection teams in essential skills, such as structural shoring and the safe handling of artwork and fragile historical elements.
The island’s Directorate of Security and Emergencies notes that this strategy is a matter of historical responsibility. The 2006 fire at the Bishopric headquarters was a major loss, but it also prompted Spanish authorities to prioritize heritage protection in their security protocols. By integrating expert knowledge and raising intervention standards, the Cabildo aims to ensure that Tenerife’s architectural and artistic treasures are better protected for the future.