A tragic fire at a care home in Villafranca de Ebro, near Zaragoza in northeastern Spain, has claimed the lives of at least 10 people, with several others injured. The fire erupted early on Friday morning at a facility that was home to 82 residents, many of whom suffered from dementia and other mental health conditions. The facility had been operational for 16 years, originally serving as a retirement home before specializing in care for vulnerable individuals with mental health issues.
Emergency services were alerted around 5:00 AM (04:00 GMT) and quickly arrived at the scene. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze, but despite the prompt response, the fire’s devastating effects on the residents were felt almost immediately. Local authorities have indicated that the fire may have been caused by a mattress catching fire in one of the rooms, although this has not been confirmed. Witnesses described how thick smoke filled the building, making it almost impossible to breathe. The fire’s limited structural damage suggests that the deaths were primarily due to smoke inhalation rather than burns from the flames.
Two individuals were taken to the hospital, including one in critical condition, and their recovery is being closely monitored by local health authorities. The mayor of Villafranca de Ebro, Volga Ramírez, spoke with Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, expressing sorrow over the tragedy and describing how residents struggled to escape the thick smoke that engulfed the care home.
The Spanish government, including the Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, expressed shock and condolences, sending support to the victims’ families. Authorities are also investigating the cause of the fire, and the government’s delegate in the Aragón region, Fernando Beltrán, has promised continued support for those affected, as well as a thorough review of the incident. The mayor also emphasized that her husband played a crucial role in rescuing residents from the care home, despite the difficult conditions.
This is not the first time such a tragedy has struck the region. A similar fire occurred nine years ago at another retirement home in Zaragoza, claiming the lives of nine people. This raises concerns about the safety measures in place at care homes in Spain, and the incident is likely to lead to calls for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent future occurrences.
The incident has left the local community in mourning, and investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the fire and whether proper safety protocols were followed at the facility.
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