This week on Noticias Directo TV we bring you a new interview from our ‘Heroes of Seville’ section in which we will talk with Carlos Castillo, the person who was in command of one of the fire crews that has earned the most praise for its performance during the catastrophic events of the #SevillaDisaster. For those who still do not know, Castillo and his companions were responsible for saving the Giralda tower and the entire Seville Cathedral from the flames after receiving the impact of a 2012 UA plasma projectile.
As you will have already seen in the numerous repetitions that have been broadcast, during the first phase of the battle above the skies of the city the Giralda was hit by one of the attacks of the terrible alien ship. It was shortly after the attacks began after the destruction of all the bridges in the capital of Seville. Today we want to know first-hand the events behind the salvation of this emblematic monument of Seville.
Carlos Castillo is 38 years old, married and has a ten-year-old son. He has been in the fire department for nearly 20 years. Although he has always worked from the San Bernardo fire station in Seville, he has participated in interventions throughout Spain. Furthermore, he has actively cooperated with Firefighters Without Borders, offering his selfless help in such terrible tragedies as the earthquakes in Algeria, Turkey and Haiti.
WITH A HISTORY LIKE THIS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE THAT YOU DIDN’T HAVE A PROMINENT ROLE LIKE THE ONE YOU HAD DURING THE #DISASTERSEVILLE. WHERE DOES THAT SPIRIT COME FROM?
Well, I have never considered myself better or worse than others. I have always acted in accordance with my conscience and morals. Helping others is something I have always had a calling for and saving lives is the greatest reward one can have. I think it is something typical of human nature and we do not have to look for further explanations.
MORE THAN SAVE LIVES, YOU SAVED THEM, YOUR TEAM AND YOU HAVE BECOME FAMOUS FOR SAVING ONE OF THE GREATEST SYMBOLS OF THE CITY, THE GIRALDA. HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN FOR YOU AFTER THE ARRIVAL OF THE 2012 UA TO SEVILLE?
That afternoon we were on guard duty. It had been a fairly calm day until we received a nervous call from the government delegation informing us that we had to prepare to carry out an intervention at any moment. They only shared with us that there was a military operation underway and it was possible that there would be collateral damage.
We didn’t have to wait long when that spaceship arrived and began its attack. The first thing we heard were the explosions on the bridges. We all ran out of the fire station. It was then when we saw that huge thing shoot and immediately we saw how one of its attacks was directed at the Giralda. It was shocking to see how the Giraldillo disappeared from our sights and flames began to sprout at the top of the Giralda.
By that time, all the radio stations had gone crazy with calls for interventions and the cell phones had stopped working. We knew that our colleagues from the rest of the city’s parks and, possibly from the entire province, were moving towards all the starting points. You can’t imagine the chaos and destruction that each destroyed bridge caused.
SO, WHY DID YOU DECIDED TO GO SAVE THE GIRALDA?
Well, the truth is, it was the most logical and practical decision at that time. I would like to say that it was first decided to be the symbol of the city, we didn’t think about that until we were in full action, but it was out of pure common sense. At that point, Seville was already a scene of war. The alien ships were attacking numerous points in the city and radio communications reported that they were controlling the main connection points of the city.
So going to the Giralda was the most logical thing. We were the ones closest. The straightest access route took us through the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz neighborhood relatively covered from any attack from the air. And either way, we had to move or panic would kill us all. We had a duty to our city and its citizens.
WAS GETTING TO THE CATHEDRAL AND THE GIRALDA AS EASY AS YOU THOUGHT?
The truth is, no. Although practically everyone had taken refuge in their homes, basements and garages. Many had left their vehicles blocking streets or parked poorly on sidewalks, preventing passage. In fact, we had to ram several cars to advance on our path. Keep in mind that we only had a logistical SUV and one of our trucks with us, which, even though it was the smallest, had many difficulties reaching its destination.
ONCE YOU ARRIVED TO THE CATHEDRAL, WHAT DID YOU FIND?
Well, the truth is that when we finally managed to reach the Plaza Virgen de los Reyes, just behind the Cathedral and at the foot of the Giralda, the scene was Dantesque. We could see how the Giraldillo had disappeared from above. In fact, the upper part was found half-melted on Constitución Avenue.
Luckily, it seemed like the impact had been relatively superficial. It had only affected the uppermost part of the Giralda. The structure of the tower seemed intact, although if the fire at the top made its way down, everything could collapse.
IN THIS SITUATION, WHAT DID A FIREFIGHTER LIKE YOU DECIDED TO DO?
Well, what we always do. After evaluating the situation, we began executing a plan with the objective of reaching as high as we could to stop the advance of the flames. We had the big problem that the reach of the truck’s hose was not enough to reach the top. So the only option was to go up on foot with the hose and chemical equipment.
To do this, we formed several teams of two people to make our way inside the Giralda and then begin the ascent. Anyone who has visited the Giralda and climbed to the top will know that the climb is long under normal conditions. So, for us it was like hell. The temperature was very high and the smoke became denser from the middle of the tower.
BUT YOU WERE ALONE, YOU DID NOT HAVE THE HOPE OF REINFORCEMENTS…
During the first hours it was evident to us that we would have to undertake this feat alone. The luck was that we had enough meters of hose and that the water pressure did not fail at any time. We were able to reach practically the top of the Giralda and contain the fire. Unfortunately, with the resources we had it was clear that we could only maintain a technical tie situation. A draw that could lead to total defeat as soon as exhaustion took its toll on us.
There was a moment when our spirits almost collapsed. It didn’t matter all the water we were pouring. The flames kept crackling and returning. And they were not normal llamas. That greenish fire, which until then we had never seen, seemed to have a life of its own.
WHAT HAPPENED TO KEEP YOUR MOOD UP?
Well, the big explosion of 2012 UA. The shock wave hit the Giralda with a strong wind that mitigated part of the fire and seemed to improve the situation for us. Not only that, hearing how the radios exploded with cheers and cries of euphoria from many people announcing that we were saved ignited our hearts and gave us renewed strength. It showed us that there was still hope. That Seville would be able to see tomorrow.
Of course, it wasn’t just that. Shortly after, fire checkpoints from all over the province began to arrive through the eastern and northern regions. So after more than four hours of fighting alone, reinforcements finally arrived and we were able to rest for a moment.
ARE YOU AWARE THAT THANKS TO YOUR HEROIC ACTION THE GIRALDA WAS SAVED, RIGHT?
Yes, of course we are, damn it. But the reality is that none of us have managed to make that any consolation. While we were fighting to save the Giralda, many colleagues lost their lives to save innocent people trapped in the fires and ruins of the destroyed buildings. Perhaps, if we had let the Giralda burn there would be more people alive today…
No, we are not better than them. We are not heroes for having saved the Giralda. All the fellow firefighters, police officers, citizens, all the people who risked everything that night to save their neighbors are the true heroes.
IT’S TRUE, BUT PEOPLE NEED SYMBOLS TO HAVE HOPE. AND BY SAVING THE GIRALDA, YOU MANAGED TO SAVE ONE OF THE GREATEST SYMBOLS OF THE CITY. YOU GAVE HOPE AND SERVED AN EXAMPLE FOR THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS. YOU CAN’T DENY THAT, RIGHT?
No, I guess not. But we are the result of our choices and I don’t think I can forgive myself that if I hadn’t been saving the Giralda I would have been able to save my wife and my son from dying in the fire caused by an explosion in the building where they were sheltering… So, tell me. Is it worth being considered a hero if you can’t protect your loved ones?
WE DIDN’T KNOW THIS TRAGEDY CARLOS. I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. WE ARE VERY SORRY…
Believe me, I’m the one that feels more shame and sadness… Sorry, I can’t continue with this.
WE END THIS INTERVIEW BY THANKING CARLOS CASTILLO FOR HIS FORGUE IN ANSWERING ALL OUR QUESTIONS IN THE PERSONAL SITUATION IN WHICH HE FINDS. WE ARE AWARE THAT PRACTICALLY EVERYONE IN SEVILLE HAS LOST SOMEONE BELOVED DURING THE #DISASTRESEVILLA, BUT WE WILL REMAIN COMMITTED IN OUR EFFORT TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL THE TESTIMONIALS THAT ALLOW US TO SEE, FROM EVERY ANGLE, EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED DURING THAT FATEDIC NIGHT.