One person died and 13 others were taken to hospital after a fire broke out at a sociosanitary residence in L'Ametlla del Vallès on Tuesday night. The fire affected several rooms on the first floor, forcing the evacuation of the first and second floors.
Protecció Civil and the Sistema d'Emergències Mèdiques (SEM) said the residence had 80 users and six workers. Almost 80 residents and six workers were moved to an area clear of smoke. The fire was reported between 22:30 and 22:33.
The person who died was found in one of the first-floor rooms where the fire is believed to have started. The cause had not been established and remained under investigation. Officials and media reports confirmed the death, but the person's identity had not been released at the time of publication.
Emergency services officially reported assisting 78 people, including the 13 residents taken to hospital and others treated at the scene.
The 13 injured residents received treatment for less serious smoke-inhalation injuries before being taken to the Hospital de Mollet del Vallès, the Hospital de Granollers and the Hospital de Sant Celoni.
SEM activated 16 units to assist those affected. Reports published during the night gave different interim totals: more than 70 people, then 71 and 77, before the official figure reached 78. Some reports also listed 11 hospital transfers before the final figure of 13 was issued. Hospital distributions reported during the night included 4 + 4 + 3 and 4 + 6 + 3.
Firefighters were alerted at around 22:30 on Tuesday. Bomberos de Cataluña sent 13 vehicles and 40 personnel to the residence. They put out the fire, checked hot spots and ventilated the building before inspecting rooms on every floor. Europa Press, citing emergency services, reported that the fire was brought under control at about 23:00; ventilation and room checks continued after the flames were out.
The evacuation covered every user on the first and second floors. Residents and staff were moved away from the smoke as emergency teams checked the building room by room.
After the checks, officials declared the fire extinguished and the situation under control. Reports by ARA English and El Periódico described the building as having a first floor and three upper levels. The fire remained confined to the first floor, while other areas were evacuated as a precaution.
The fire was concentrated in several rooms, but smoke forced crews to clear two floors and check the building carefully. Smoke inhalation was the basic reported health consequence apart from the death. SEM and Protecció Civil said the other affected people received light assistance at the scene. One interim report put the number of people who received light assistance at 64.
