An image of the Virgen del Rocío has gone up on fire this Palm Sunday in the Malaga town of Vélez-Málaga while it was in full procession through the streets of the municipality after falling one of the candles that make up the candlestick against the saya of the image, and two throne men have suffered burns on their hands trying to suffocate him.
The event occurred minutes before 6:00 p.m., some 200 meters from the processional exit, apparently due to a candle from the candlestick, which fell backwards when raising the throne, against the skirt of the virgin, according to Eyewitnesses have told EFE.
The flames have burned at least the skirt, one arm, part of the virgin's face and hair, and several people who climbed the throne tried to put out the fire with their hands, until they could use fire extinguishers.
The two injured have suffered burns on their hands when trying to put out the fire, one has had to be transferred to the Vélez-Málaga Regional Hospital and another has been treated at the scene by the Red Cross, as reported to EFE by the Emergency Service 112 Andalusia.
When the events occurred, several individuals alerted 112, which immediately notified the Fire Department, the National and Local Police and health services.
The Local Police have been able to put out the fire with fire extinguishers, according to sources.
Some "horquilleros" (throned men) were lying on the ground due to the smoke from the fire extinguishers, many mantillas ran through the procession when they saw the smoke, with great concern among the attendees.
Once the fire is out, they have covered the virgin with a blanket and have moved her back to her place of departure. The procession has been suspended and the "Pollinica", which was further ahead, has also returned.
Due to the fire there have been moments of great confusion and many people have run away and have taken refuge in nearby areas because they were with minors.
Last Friday in the Santísima Trinidad parish, known as the church of San Telmo in Chiclana (Cádiz), the cloak of the image of María Santísima de los Desconsuelos came out on fire, which suffered severe damage, although there were no injuries.
