Five people have died and at least five others were injured after a fire broke out in an apartment building in Manlleu, a town in northeastern Spain. The blaze erupted Monday night in a five-story building, prompting a large response from emergency services and leaving the community in mourning.
The fire originated in a storage room within the apartment complex, according to Catalan authorities. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and an investigation has been launched by Catalan police to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief and concern from local leaders and residents.
Authorities confirmed that the five fatalities were all young people, and crucially, none of them resided in the building itself. They were reportedly unable to escape from an attic storage room, according to emergency responders. Four of the injured have been released from hospitals, while one individual did not require hospitalization, emergency services reported on Tuesday.
Salvador Illa, President of the government of Catalonia, expressed his deep sadness over the loss of life. “Deeply saddened by the death of five people as a result of a fire in a building in Manlleu,” Illa stated on X, formerly known as Twitter. “My heartfelt condolences to their family and friends.”
The incident prompted a swift response from emergency services, who provided ambulances and psychological support to those affected. Three families were relocated to a nearby hotel, while the remaining residents were permitted to return to their homes, as reported by The General Directorate of Civil Protection in Catalonia on social media.
Details surrounding the victims are still emerging. Reports indicate that the storage room had been used as a meeting place by a group of young people, according to La Vanguardia. While authorities have not yet released the identities of those who died, witnesses suggest the victims were all under the age of 18, with one as young as 12.
The town of Manlleu, located approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Barcelona, has declared three days of mourning in remembrance of those who lost their lives. The local authority is providing support to the families and individuals impacted by the tragedy.
Catalan police are currently investigating the cause of the fire, but have not indicated whether they are treating the case as a potential homicide. The investigation will focus on determining the origin of the blaze and any contributing factors that may have led to the tragic outcome.
This incident underscores the importance of fire safety measures and the potential dangers associated with storage rooms, particularly those that may be used for purposes beyond their intended design. The community is grappling with the shock and grief following this devastating event.
As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to release further details regarding the cause of the fire and the identities of the victims. The focus remains on supporting the families and community members affected by this tragedy and ensuring that such an incident is not repeated.
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