A devastating fire erupted in a residential building in northeastern Spain on Monday night, resulting in the tragic deaths of five young individuals and leaving four others injured. The blaze ignited in what authorities believe was a converted living space within a storage area on the upper floor of a five-story apartment block in Manlleu, located approximately 80 kilometers north of Barcelona.
According to Catalonia’s fire brigade, emergency services received alerts from residents at approximately 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT). Despite rapid response efforts, the victims—reportedly teenagers according to Spanish media outlets—were unable to escape the rapidly spreading flames. The identities of the deceased have not been formally released pending family notifications.
Police authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire, which remains undetermined at this time. Firefighting officials expressed uncertainty regarding why the victims found themselves trapped in the converted space, noting that the circumstances of their inability to evacuate require thorough examination.
Catalan President Salvador Illa Roca issued an official statement expressing profound shock and extending deepest condolences to the families and friends affected by the tragedy. The incident has raised serious questions about building safety regulations and the conversion of non-residential spaces into living quarters, particularly in residential buildings across the region.
The injured survivors were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment, though their current conditions remain undisclosed. The community of Manlleu, a town of approximately 20,000 inhabitants, has begun mourning the loss of young lives in this unexpected catastrophe.