The Windsor Tower (Sp. Torre Windsor ) was built in 1979 in the financial center of Madrid, Spain. This office building was 106 meters high and had 32 floors, ranking as the 8th tallest building in Madrid (and 23rd in Spain). It was gutted by a huge fire on February 12, 2005 and partially collapsed. At present it is being demolished.

Characteristics of the building

The building, located in Raimundo Fernández Villaverde St. 65, had a total area of 20,000 square meters and was one of the first modern towers in Madrid. It was probably the most valuable building among those which where constructed in AZCA complex, the financial district of Madrid. The project was designed in 1974 by a teamwork of six important Spanish architects and the construction, which started in 1975, finished in 1979.

From outside, it was easily distinguishable due to its elemental geometry, lacking composite elements. Likewise, it had a remarkable façade, that was completely covered by very reflective glass-like modules that mirrored the sky of Madrid, diminishing its visual impact. The structure appeared divided into two halves due to a technical floor without windows. It was a very solid building, with a central core of reinforced concrete that resisted the high temperatures of the fire without collapsing (the outermost parts of some upper floors did fail, though.)

The fire

Around midnight, on Saturday, February 12th, 2005, a fire was declared on the 21st floor, spreading quickly through the entire building. Firemen needed almost 24 hours to extinguish it. No one died, although seven firemen were injured. Most of the building didn't collapse, and it is being demolished at present. The town hall of Madrid will pay the demolition that may cost €22 million (about US$28.5 million). It was probably the worst fire in the history of the city.

Causes

It was initially thought that the fire had been sparked by a short-circuit, but some facts under investigation point that it could be induced by arsonists:

• Different amateur videotapes showed two figures in silhouette inside the blazing building more than two hours after it was supposedly evacuated. The figures appeared to be moving about eight floors below the core of the fire, at around 3:00 am (02:00 GMT).
• Other videos showed lights inside the skyscraper after electricity was thought to have gone out.
• Police discovered that someone had forced a door that leaded into a Windsor Tower underground garage.

External Links

• elmundo.es, Arde el Winsor (Windsor burns). A lot of impressive images of the fire, in Spanish.
• BBC News UK Edition, Commuter chaos after Madrid blaze.
• CNN.com, Madrid alert after skyscraper fire.
• Borneo Bulletin, Arsonists may be behind Madrid fire.
• NAMC Worldwide Newsroom, Horrific Fire at the Windsor Tower in Madrid Spain Shakes the Capital.
• NEWS24.com, Silhouettes in Madrid inferno.