Fire in apartment block in outskirts of Barcelona causes multiple deaths

Three people have died and one person was left seriously injured after a fire broke out in an apartment block overnight in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, immediately north of Barcelona.

Firefighters have informed that they have already extinguished the blaze, which took place at Carrer Sant Joaquim, 23, in the center of the city.

In addition to the deaths and one seriously injured, three other people have been lightly injured. Other residents of the building are being given care by the council’s social services.

The fire brigade received notice of the fire at 4.29 am and sent 10 crews to the scene. They found that the fire was burning in the building's room containing all apartments’ electricity meters on the ground floor, as well as the second floor. The fire was completely extinguished at 4.53 am. 

The bodies of the three fatalities were found in different locations in the building.

Firefighters have ventilated the site and inspected the building, so far ruling out any structural damage due to the fire, but external companies have been brought in to inspect the building’s condition. As a precautionary measure, the electricity and gas supply to the entire building has been cut off.

The interior minister, Joan Ignasi Elena, expressed his condolences to the friends and family of the victims.