Tragedy Strikes: Fire Razes Retirement Home in Spain, Leaving 10 Dead
In the early hours of the morning, a devastating fire engulfed a retirement home in Villafranca de Ebro, northeastern Spain, claiming the lives of at least 10 people, emergency services confirmed on Friday.
The blaze, which began around 5:00 am (0400 GMT), consumed a facility housing 82 residents, but the cause remains unknown. Fortunately, a security door containing the fire prevented it from spreading to other areas of the building.
However, the fire did spread its effects throughout the building, with smoke causing widespread harm. “The smoke was able to travel throughout the entire building, which caused a significant amount of damage,” said Mayor Volga Ramirez Gamiz.
An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the tragedy, which is believed to have been primarily caused by smoke inhalation. The government representative in the Aragon region, Fernando Beltran, confirmed that authorities are working to uncover the truth behind the disaster.
Aragon’s regional leader, Jorge Azcon, expressed his shock at the tragedy, suspending all public engagements as a mark of respect. The retirement home, known as Jardines de Villafranca, had previously been dedicated to caring for elderly residents with mental health challenges.
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, also offered his condolences, describing the incident as a tragedy. In a statement, he wrote, “I hope that those in serious condition will recover as soon as possible.”
