Five people die in a fire in an apartment building in Manlleu
Four other people were injured
BarcelonaFive people died and four others sustained minor injuries in a fire at a building on Montseny Street in Manlleu (Osona), the Catalan government reported in a statement. The fire started in a storage room converted into a living space on the roof of a five-story building, and for reasons unknown, those inside were unable to escape.
The Catalan Fire Service received the call at 9:10 p.m. Several residents called 112 to report a fire on the floor above and smoke in the stairwell. Thirteen fire crews were immediately dispatched and found the building completely evacuated upon arrival. A two-person team located and extinguished the fire, which was declared out at 9:41 p.m. At the same time, the first victim was located: a person in cardiac arrest.
Firefighters expedited the search and rescue operation, and four more people were found in the storage room. Despite the efforts of the firefighters and the Medical Emergency System (SEM), who deployed 11 ambulances and two psychological support teams, nothing could be done to save them. Four other people suffered minor injuries. Three were treated and released in the ambulances, and the fourth declined transport to a hospital.
The Mossos d'Esquadra's Investigation Unit, with the support of several public safety patrols, has taken charge of clarifying the causes of the incident. Meanwhile, the Local Police provided immediate assistance to the residents who left the building, alarmed by the smoke coming from the stairwell.