Staff at a restaurant rocked by a powerful explosion in Malaga have spoken of the terrifying moments after the blast.

Speaking to Malaga Hoy, they also revealed how they rushed into a collapsing building to rescue an elderly woman living above the premises.

The explosion struck the popular Meson Morisco restaurant in Sayalonga on Monday night, causing the upper part of the building to collapse and triggering a major emergency response involving firefighters, paramedics and police.

In a statement issued after the incident, workers described hearing a deafening bang before realising the explosion had occurred in the property above them.

‘We heard a huge explosion and saw windows shatter in the upper part of our restaurant,’ they said.

The blast is believed to have originated in the restaurant’s storage area, where the gas installation supplying the business was located.

‘Our priority became saving a life’

Restaurant staff said their first concern was making sure all employees were safe.

However, after running outside, they realised an elderly woman was still inside the apartment situated above the restaurant.

‘From that moment our priority was clear,’ they said. ‘We all ran towards the home despite the danger involved. There was a human life there that needed help.’

Fortunately, the woman was found unharmed and was safely evacuated from the building.

‘Thank God, she was in perfect condition and we were able to get her out without any problems,’ the statement added.

The dramatic rescue came as part of the upper floor collapsed following the explosion, leaving large sections of the building severely damaged.

Two people were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The restaurant said some customers suffered small cuts caused by shattered glass falling from upper-floor windows.

‘We’re more than a restaurant – we’re a family’

While grateful that nobody was seriously hurt, the owners admitted the emotional impact of the incident had been overwhelming.

‘Many people asked why we were crying if everyone was okay,’ they said. ‘The answer is simple: very few people can imagine how hard my family has worked to build this business.’

The owners described Meson Morisco as much more than a restaurant.

‘In some way, I feel Meson Morisco is part of my life. My family and I have given everything to help it grow, and when something like this happens, you realise that no matter how much we try to control things, life can change in a second.’

The explosion also damaged neighbouring properties, affecting part of a nearby façade and breaking at least one window.

Firefighters removed additional gas cylinders from the building to prevent further risks and later accompanied the elderly resident back into the property so she could collect essential belongings.

The restaurant will remain closed while engineers assess the structural integrity of the building and repair work is carried out.

‘Now all we can do is dream of reopening soon and continuing to give the best of ourselves,’ the owners said.