A 51-year-old man was found unconscious and in cardiac arrest after a fire broke out in his Carabanchel apartment. Firefighters and emergency medics intervened, stabilizing him before urgent transfer to hospital.
A serious apartment fire in Madrid’s Carabanchel district left a 51-year-old man in critical condition on Saturday. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. on Salvador Alonso street, where firefighters responded to reports of smoke and flames coming from a residential building. Upon arrival, emergency crews discovered the man unconscious and in cardiac arrest inside one of the rooms.
Firefighters from the Ayuntamiento de Madrid quickly brought the blaze under control, focusing their efforts on the kitchen, where the fire had started. However, thick smoke had already filled the entire apartment, complicating rescue operations and posing additional risks to both the victim and the emergency teams. The man was pulled from the smoke-filled flat and immediately received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from Samur-PC medics at the scene.
After several minutes of intensive resuscitation, emergency personnel managed to restore the man's heartbeat. Once stabilized, he was transported in very serious condition to Hospital 12 de Octubre for further treatment, according to information provided by Emergencias Madrid to Europa Press. No other residents in the building were reported injured or affected by the fire, and the flames did not spread beyond the victim’s apartment.
To support the victim’s family, a psychologist from Samur-PC was dispatched to the scene. Meanwhile, Policía Municipal cordoned off Salvador Alonso street to ensure emergency vehicles could operate without obstruction. The rapid response and coordination between fire, medical, and police services were crucial in managing the situation and preventing further harm.
Fires in residential buildings remain a significant safety concern in Madrid, especially in densely populated districts like Carabanchel. According to municipal data, most apartment fires originate in kitchens, often due to unattended cooking or electrical faults. The city’s emergency services regularly conduct public awareness campaigns on fire prevention and the importance of functioning smoke detectors. In 2025, Madrid authorities reported a slight decrease in residential fire incidents, but emphasized that rapid intervention remains vital for survival in cases of smoke inhalation and cardiac arrest.
