Albergue destroyed by fire in Xunqueira de Ambía

[Bradypus]

La Voz de Galicia reports that Casa Tomás - a fairly new private albergue in Xunqueria de Ambía - has been totally destroyed by fire. Fortunately the owners were the only occupants at the time and they escaped unharmed.
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...ra-ambia/0003_201701201701271485504435739.htm

 

[Elizabeth_B]

That is such a shame! I stayed there for a night last October while on the C. Sanabres. Very characterful and comfortable albergue, with owners very keen to please. Good food, nice garden for sitting in out the back. Hope they can rebuild.

 

[grayland]

The fire is a reminder of the concern that many of us have about those albergues that still lock pilgrims in a night.
It has been a while since this has been discussed and I am not sure which albergues, if any, still have this policy.

 

[SYates]

The fire is a reminder of the concern that many of us have about those albergues that still lock pilgrims in a night.
It has been a while since this has been discussed and I am not sure which albergues, if any, still have this policy.

I am pretty sure they don't do that any more, at least on those Caminos I walked lately. You now get frequently 'can be only opened from inside' doors which you can push open in an emergency. If I am not mistaken that issue was addressed following an incident in the Monastery (Cister) albergue in Santo Domingo de la Calzada when a pilgrim suffered a major heart problem at night and the emergency services couldn't initially get to him. They had first to raise the nuns that had to cross the patio from monastery to albergue and open the albergue door from the inside. It was also around the same time that there were restrictions put in place on how many pilgrims an albergue was allowed to accommodate additionally when they had run out of beds. Also the later one was and is always a bit of a hit and miss subject depending on if the alternative would be a pilgrim having to sleep in the streets.

Buen Camino de la Vida, SY

 

[Deleted member 12253]

La Voz de Galicia reports that Casa Tomás - a fairly new private albergue in Xunqueria de Ambía - has been totally destroyed by fire. Fortunately the owners were the only occupants at the time and they escaped unharmed.
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...ra-ambia/0003_201701201701271485504435739.htm

I have Xunqueria de Zambia on my stopping list for April 20th. Casa Tomas private albergue with 6 beds. Brand new so surprise but thankfully no injuries. Also Xunta Hostel with 24 beds in town

 

[grayland]

I recall that the problem was across the width of Spain.
I encountered it in both private and muni albergues in years past.
The change would have had to come from a national authority to affect such a wide area.
Hopefully, the practice has been stopped.

 

[SYates]

@grayland There are now plenty of Normativas in place which regulate how an official albergue has to function/being equipped, some are driving the respective owners insane but a lot of them make sense. But I must admit I always, always ask what the exit procedures are at night in case of an emergency! I would rather sleep in the church porch or under a hedge then being closed in a place with no emergency exit ;-) But as I have stated before, I haven't encountered one of those 'pilgrims shut in at night' places in many, many years ;-) Buen Camino, SY

 

[grayland]

In 2013, the albergue in Ourense locked the door at ten o'clock. The albergue was completo.
They used a chain with a padlock.
A huge outrage in the morning when it was discovered by those wanting to leave at about 6 am...including a group of Spanish priests who were walking.
We were very concerned ourselves when we realized we were locked in all night with an overflow crowd.

 

[SYates]

That one has changed, in spring 2016 there was a 'push open from the inside' front door in that albergue - assuming we both speak of the same one, the Xunta one. Buen Camino, SY

 

[KinkyOne]

That one has changed, in spring 2016 there was a 'push open from the inside' front door in that albergue - assuming we both speak of the same one, the Xunta one. Buen Camino, SY

In 2015 it was locked but if you jerked it really fast the lock opened. I guess that's just one of my skills

 

[AlexanderAZ]

As someone who hasn't done any Camino (yet) could someone explain this "locked inside" policy? What is the purpose?? Sorry to hear this albergue burned. Thankfully, no loss of life.

 

[SYates]

As someone who hasn't done any Camino (yet) could someone explain this "locked inside" policy? What is the purpose?? Sorry to hear this albergue burned. Thankfully, no loss of life.

Most Albergues have a curfew, they normally close at around 22:00 - 23:00. The purpose is to avoid that a) a thief can enter at night and b) all pilgrims get a good nights sleep without being disturbed by those coming back very late.

Buen Camino, SY

 

[Bradypus]

In a follow-up to the original news La Voz de Galicia has an article in which the owners talk about the likely cause of the fire, generous support from neighbours and the local council, and their intention to rebuild and reopen the albergue:
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...nutos-derrumbo-tejado/0003_201701O28C8991.htm

 

[gollygolly]

La Voz de Galicia reports that Casa Tomás - a fairly new private albergue in Xunqueria de Ambía - has been totally destroyed by fire. Fortunately the owners were the only occupants at the time and they escaped unharmed.
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...ra-ambia/0003_201701201701271485504435739.htm

What a tremendous shame ; it is a lovely town and I recall staying at the municipal albergue, slightly outside of the town. It was a miserable and characterless tin box, while this albergue that has burnt looks to have been full of charm and a bit of history, as well as being located in the town. Very sad, and hope that they are able to return it back to use.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

As someone who hasn't done any Camino (yet) could someone explain this "locked inside" policy? What is the purpose?? Sorry to hear this albergue burned. Thankfully, no loss of life.

The idea behind this is to let people sleep until a reasonable hour by not having people get up at 5 am to start walking in thr dark at 5:30. While the intention is good, the downside can be dangerous and dramatic.

 

[BrienC]

it is a lovely town and I recall staying at the municipal albergue, slightly outside of the town. It was a miserable and characterless tin box,

I would describe the muni (xunta) much the same way, all white and stainless. Stayed there in mid-November, last year. But it had all the comforts, was warm and clean.
The Spanish man I was trekking with at the time preferred to stay at the xuntas to support them, ensuring they stay in operation for future pilgrims. But Casa Tomás looked very inviting when we entered the town for dinner. Hope they can rebuild soon.

 

[jofn]

La Voz de Galicia reports that Casa Tomás - a fairly new private albergue in Xunqueria de Ambía - has been totally destroyed by fire. Fortunately the owners were the only occupants at the time and they escaped unharmed.
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...ra-ambia/0003_201701201701271485504435739.htm

Casa Tomas is up and running again in an Albergue just round the corner from the old one. At least 7 single beds in 3 rooms. Stayed there a few days ago. Same contact details apply. Good meals next door in bar Luciano

 

[KinkyOne]

Casa Tomas is up and running again in an Albergue just round the corner from the old one. At least 7 single beds in 3 rooms. Stayed there a few days ago. Same contact details apply. Good meals next door in bar Luciano

Nice to hear good news. Thanks for posting!