A devastating fire erupted in a residential building in northeastern Spain on Monday evening, resulting in five fatalities and five minor injuries, according to Catalonia’s regional emergency services. The incident occurred in Manlleu, a municipality approximately 21,000 residents situated north of Barcelona.
The conflagration originated within a storage area located in the attic of a five-story apartment complex. Authorities confirmed that the victims, all identified as young adults who were not residents of the building, became trapped in the storage room under circumstances that remain undetermined. Preliminary reports indicate that the severity of the fire made immediate escape impossible.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find the structure heavily engulfed. While five individuals sustained light injuries, four received treatment at local hospitals and were subsequently discharged. One additional injured person did not require hospitalization.
Catalan police have initiated a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the blaze. The forensic complexity of the case, including the heavily charred state of some victims, means formal identification procedures will extend into Tuesday. Officials have not yet specified whether criminal negligence or homicide is suspected, maintaining that all potential causes remain under examination.
In response to the tragedy, Catalonia’s regional leader Salvador Illa expressed profound sorrow on social media platform X, extending official condolences to the families of the deceased and acknowledging the profound community impact of the incident.