'Explosion' heard as Barcelona fire burns 25 hectares and residents told 'stay indoors'

A large fire is burning in Barcelona, with around 35 hectares of land affected and residents in two neighbourhoods told to stay indoors.

Mobile phone alerts have been sent to people in Torre Baró and Ciutat Meridiana, warning them to close their doors and windows and not go outside due to the vegetation fire.

People posting on X have reported hearing an explosion, while a high-voltage tower in the area is believed to have been damaged. The explosion report has not yet been confirmed by authorities.

Spain’s 112 emergency service has received 1,074 calls about the blaze, while firefighters continue to tackle the flames.

The emergency warning tells residents: “Close doors and windows and do not go out on the street. In case of emergency, call 112.”

Authorities have evacuated multiple residents on streets Lliçà and Castellví in Torre Baró as a precaution.

This includes around twenty homes - those closest to the border with the forest area where the fire is active.

Around 35 people are said to have been evacuated, according to local reports.

Barcelona City Council says the fire at the Natural Park of the Serra de Collserola has impacted an area of about 35 hectares, according to provisional data.

"We are working on the investigation of the causes of this fire," the council added.

Protecció Civil (Barcelona's civil protection agency) has escalated its response level to coordinate emergency forces directly at the disaster site.

An image shows dozens of firefighters stationed on the ground close to the scene of the blaze.

Another mobile phone alert has been sent to residents reminding them to respect the authorities' orders.

A lockdown is currently still in place in the Ciutat Meridiana and Torre Baró neighborhoods. These residents have been urged to "close doors and windows and do not go out on the street"