
Ten killed in nursing home fire in Spain
Thank you for choosing Automatic Translation. Currently we are offering translations from English into French and German, with more translation languages to be added in the near future. Please be aware that these translations are generated by a third party AI software service. While we have found that the translations are mostly correct, they may not be perfect in every case. To ensure the information you read is correct, please refer to the original article in English. If you find an error in a translation which you would like to bring to our attention, it would help us greatly if you let us know. We can correct any text or section, once we are aware of it. Please do not hesitate to contact our webmaster to let us know of any translation errors.
A devastating fire destroyed a nursing home in northeastern Spain on Friday, claiming the lives of at least 10 people, according to emergency services.
The fire started in the early hours at a facility in Villafranca de Ebro, near Zagagoza in the Aragon region, Fernando Beltrán, a regional government official informed reporters.
Two individuals were critically injured and have been hospitalized, he added.
At the time of the fire, 82 residents were inside the building, Mr. Beltrán stated.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, according to Volga Ramírez, the town’s mayor, who spoke to Spain's national radio, RNE.
By 5 a.m., all residents had been evacuated, and the deceased had been removed, the mayor confirmed.
Likely killed by smoke inhalation
The cause of the fire at the nursing home for people with dementia and other mental health problems is unknown.
According to local mayor Volga Ramirez Gamiz, it was likely the smoke which caused the fatalities rather than the flames themselves, which were extinguished by firefighters.
"Fortunately, that room has a security door," which prevented the fire from spreading, she said. "But there was a lot of smoke, outside too, you couldn't even breathe."
Originally opened in 2008 as a care home for the elderly, the Jardines de Villafranca residence had recently expanded to accommodate individuals of all ages dealing with dementia and other mental health challenges.
Wikipedia Facts: Villafranca de Ebro is a municipality located in the province of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain. According to the 2004 census (INE), the municipality has a population of 684 inhabitants.