During the early hours of last Sunday, on June 23, between 3 and 4 in the morning, a fire broke out inside the headquarters of the Tenants’ Union in San Isidro, resulting in the “complete destruction of the premises,” as stated in the association’s official announcement. DIARIO DE AVISOS has pieced together the events surrounding the fire at the Tenants’ Union headquarters in San Isidro and has engaged with sources closely linked to the incident.
The Tenants’ Union is a Catalan organisation that, as per its official website, “is dedicated to safeguarding our right to continue residing in our homes.” This group rallies and defends the rights of tenants.
Moreover, the group extends support to the most vulnerable by supplying household items, food, and other essentials. Their assistance covers the entire Peninsula and they have branches in Gran Canaria and Tenerife as well. The San Isidro office in Tenerife was established three years ago in response to housing dilemmas in tourist areas of the island, with the mission of upholding the right to a decent dwelling.
The Spanish Government’s Second Vice President and Minister of Labour and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz Pérez, conveyed her solidarity with the union through a social media post, expressing, “I trust that the incident will be elucidated.” This gesture underscores the gravity of the occurrence, warranting coverage in multiple media outlets and digital platforms.
What Transpired?
The fire resulted in the complete incineration of the interior of the premises. In absence of a formal police inquiry, indications point towards a deliberate act, given that the premises “had no electricity” or any potential fire source, and the access door was found “forced,” as affirmed by the association.
A spokesperson for the union, identified as Brani, revealed that “certain individuals forcibly entered through the door and ignited the premises using gasoline” before promptly fleeing. Since the site stored clothing, books, and toys meant for donation to underprivileged families, the fire also entailed the loss of these materials. Many locals used to come seeking these items in times of need.
The Civil Guard has commenced an investigation. According to police sources privy to this publication, surveillance cameras in the vicinity are expected to play a vital role in unravelling the timeline of events during the early morning hours. Authorities are currently tracing the movements of a Volkswagen Golf spotted near the premises leading up to the incident.
The union, though lacking substantial evidence, points fingers at “an unemployment agency believed to be the chief adversary of the union.” The spokesperson claims that “photographs and videos have been taken right outside the premises’ door issuing grave threats towards the union.” Reference is made to an incident where, the day prior to the fire, a video was recorded and circulated on social media involving a member addressing the spokesperson menacingly, stating, “And this little nuisance painted here needs dealing with, and I shall be the one to do it.”
A Recurring Issue
The union asserts that they have been subject to various acts of violence, allegedly from this agency, such as “throwing stones, vandalising house windows, and slashing vehicle tyres.” They emphasise that “this isn’t the first instance of verbal threats, shoving, or intimidation that we’ve faced.”
They express feeling “helpless” and convey, “while we may not be scared, we are concerned and unsettled.” They argue that “such attacks, which we categorise as hate crimes reminiscent of Nazi repertoire, if not met with stringent penalties, can embolden these individuals to act with impunity and wreak havoc,” they assert.
According to them, “it’s high time for a community response,” as such actions could one day lead to a “catastrophe.” For instance, “last Saturday, I was present there overnight. If someone had been there during the fire… who knows what could have ensued,” cautions the spokesperson for the beleaguered union.
