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Catalonia apartment fire has claimed the lives of five people and left four others with minor injuries after a blaze tore through a residential building in northeastern Spain. The deadly incident occurred late Monday in the town of Manlleu, located in the Osona region north of Barcelona.
Regional fire authorities confirmed the fatalities and said emergency teams responded quickly after receiving reports of smoke and flames inside the five story apartment building.
Blaze Erupted in Storage Room
According to local officials, the Catalonia apartment fire began in a storage room within the building. The fire spread rapidly, trapping several individuals inside the area.
Firefighters stated that for reasons still under investigation, the victims were unable to escape the storage space. The intensity of the blaze made rescue efforts difficult and caused significant smoke damage throughout parts of the building.
The town of Manlleu, which has a population of around 21,000 residents, was shaken by the incident. The community is located in Catalonia’s Osona region, an area north of the city of Barcelona.
Victims Believed to Be Young Residents
Spain’s national news agency EFE reported that authorities believe the five victims were young people. Some may have been underage, although official confirmation is still pending.
Fire department sources indicated that identification of the deceased will continue through Tuesday morning. Due to the severity of the Catalonia apartment fire, some of the bodies were reportedly charred, complicating immediate identification efforts.
Four additional individuals suffered minor injuries and were treated by emergency responders. Officials did not release further details about their conditions.
Investigation Underway
The Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police force, have opened an investigation into the cause of the Catalonia apartment fire. Authorities have not yet determined what triggered the blaze in the storage room.
Investigators are examining the scene to establish whether the fire was accidental or linked to any structural or safety issues within the building. Officials emphasized that determining the origin of the Catalonia apartment fire remains a priority.
Fire crews secured the building and ensured that there was no risk of reignition before handing the scene over to investigators.
Emergency Response and Community Impact
Regional firefighters responded swiftly after receiving emergency calls. Crews worked to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to other sections of the apartment block.
The Catalonia apartment fire has deeply affected the local community in Manlleu. Residents gathered near the scene as emergency teams carried out rescue and recovery operations.
Authorities have expressed condolences to the families of the victims and pledged full cooperation in the ongoing investigation.
Ongoing Developments
As forensic teams continue their examination, officials are expected to release more information about the identities of the victims and the cause of the blaze.
The Catalonia apartment fire highlights the devastating impact residential fires can have on communities and the importance of safety measures within apartment buildings.
Further updates are expected as investigators complete their assessment and provide additional findings.
This remains a developing story.
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