Mamaia beach bars destroyed in suspected arson after fire breaks out

A devastating fire ravaged two beach bars and a kitesurf school on H2O Beach in Mamaia, Romania, before dawn. Five fire engines and a SMURD team responded to the blaze, which had engulfed the structures by the time firefighters arrived. Strong winds threatened to spread the flames to a third nearby location, but crews managed to contain the fire.

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When my colleagues arrived at the scene, they found that the fire was widespread, flames had engulfed the entire structure. Due to the intensity of the wind, it had also spread to the second structure in the immediate vicinity. They focused on limiting the spread of the fire to the third terrace.

While the Constanța Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (ISU) indicated a probable short circuit at an electrical panel as the cause, the administrator of H2O Beach, Mihail Spanțoveanu, suspects arson. He has requested a thorough review of surveillance footage, citing reports from neighbors who allegedly saw individuals in the area before the fire broke out.

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Fortunately, there were no victims, and the probable cause of the fire was determined to be a short circuit at an electrical panel.

"I want us to investigate more carefully, but some neighbors told me they saw, around 3:30, some people walking towards the beach, towards the water," Spanțoveanu told Ziua de Constanța. He added that neighbors from the adjacent Crazy Beach alerted him to the fire spreading.

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I want us to investigate more carefully, but some neighbors told me they saw, around 3:30, some people walking towards the beach, towards the water. I will also ask the guard to see what he knows. I can't give an opinion, but you never know.

The fire destroyed not only the beach bars but also the kitesurf school operating within H2O Beach. Equipment, sound systems, and merchandise intended for the season were lost, with damages estimated in the tens of thousands of euros. "Nothing is left here," Spanțoveanu stated, lamenting the loss of stainless steel bar stations, refrigerators, and instructor equipment. H2O Beach had been in operation for over 20 years.

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The neighbors from Crazy alerted me. They called me at 3:30 and told me: 'Watch out, it's burning and it's coming towards us with the north wind.' That's when we got alarmed.