In an elderly care home in Villafranca de Ebro, near Zaragoza, a fire occurred that claimed the lives of ten people with different degrees of disability, reduced mobility, or a medical condition, according to official sources. There were 69 residents on site, including elderly people and those with mental illnesses. In addition to the fatalities, two people were seriously injured.
The fire, considered the most tragic in a facility of this type so far this century in Spain, caused smoke inhalation that led to the fatalities. Emergency services attended to several residents and a civil guard for the same reason. The residents not affected by the flames will be transferred to a nearby facility.
The fire started in a resident's room during the early hours of the morning, generating a large amount of smoke in one area of the facility. A fire door prevented the flames from spreading throughout the building. The workers of the residence and neighbors evacuated the survivors, while firefighters found the ten deceased residents on site.
The Civil Guard is investigating the origin of the fire, considering the possibility that it may have been caused by a cigarette, despite smoking being prohibited in the rooms. The manager of the association that manages the residence emphasized compliance with legislation, fire safety regulations, and periodic inspections at the center.
In the firefighting and assistance efforts, firefighters, Civil Guard, Civil Protection, psychologists, and social workers participated. The president of the Spanish government expressed his dismay at what happened and extended his condolences to the families of the victims, workers, and Aragonese people in general. Most residences in Spain are intended for elderly individuals or those with disabilities, with few catering to both groups, like the one affected by the fire.
