At least ten people are confirmed dead following a tragic fire at a nursing home near Zaragoza, Spain, which erupted early Friday morning. The incident unfolded at the Jardines de Villafranca residence, located in the small town of Villafranca de Ebro, approximately 28 kilometers northeast of Zaragoza. Reports indicate there were over 80 residents present at the facility at the time of the fire, many of whom were elderly individuals requiring support for mental health issues and dementia.
The fire broke out around 5:00 AM local time, and emergency services quickly responded to the alarm raised by the facility. Firefighters spent around two hours battling the flames before they were fully extinguished, as they faced significant challenges due to intense smoke.
Authorities have reported ten fatalities, with two more individuals hospitalized, including one person whose condition has been described as severe. The mayor of Villafranca de Ebro, Volga Ramírez, emphasized the threat posed by smoke inhalation, stating, "It is due to smoke inhalation, not because they were burned." He revealed some witnesses indicated the fire’s initiation might have been linked to a mattress caught ablaze within one of the residents' rooms.
Initial investigations suggest the single-storey structure suffered minimal fire damage, yet the thick smoke led to tragic consequences for many residents. The ages of the deceased have not been disclosed, but local media reports note the residents' vulnerability due to their health conditions.
Regional president Jorge Azcón expressed condolences on social media, announcing the cancellation of all government events across the region for the day as the community mourns. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also shared his shock and sadness over the incident. Fernando Beltrán, the Spanish government's delegate for the Aragón region, confirmed these sentiments, stating they would closely monitor the situation of those hospitalized and review the investigation's findings.
This fire marks another devastating event within Spain, following last month’s catastrophic floods impacting areas like Valencia, where over 200 lives were lost. The two disasters have sparked discussions around emergency preparedness and response mechanisms across the nation, particularly in facilities caring for vulnerable populations.
Authorities are calling for increased scrutiny of fire safety measures within retirement and care homes. With this incident shedding light on the potential dangers faced by vulnerable residents, many are advocating for immediate reviews of safety protocols to prevent such tragedies from recurring. The local government stated they aim to quickly relocate unaffected residents to nearby facilities to provide them secure and safe environments.
Meanwhile, as investigations continue, the families of the victims are left grappling with the loss of their loved ones, and the community of Villafranca de Ebro mourns the lives cut short far too soon.
