One resident died after a fire broke out at a care home in L'Ametlla del Vallès. Thirteen people were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, while emergency crews assisted 78 people and evacuated residents from two floors.
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. It forced the evacuation of the first and second floors.
The residence had 80 users and six workers, according to Protecció Civil and the Sistema d'Emergències Mèdiques (SEM). Almost 80 residents and six workers were moved to an area free of smoke. The fire was reported between 22:30 and 22:33.
The deceased person was found in one of the first-floor rooms where the fire is believed to have started. The cause has not been established. Official and media reports confirmed the death, but the person's identity had not been released at the time of publication.
The official emergency-services balance reached 78 people assisted, including the 13 residents taken to hospital and others treated at the scene.
The 13 injured residents were treated for less serious smoke-inhalation injuries. They were then 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. They included more than 70 people, then 71 and 77, before the official balance 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 extinguished the fire, checked hot spots, ventilated the building and inspected rooms on every floor.
Reports citing the emergency services said the fire was brought under control at about 23:00. Ventilation and checks of the rooms continued after the flames had been extinguished.
The evacuation covered every user on the first and second floors. Residents and staff were moved away from the smoke while emergency teams checked the building room by room.
Once the checks were complete, the fire was declared extinguished and the situation was brought under control. Accounts cited 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 emergency was concentrated in several rooms, but smoke forced crews to clear two floors and check the building carefully. The hospital transfers show that smoke inhalation was the main 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.
One person died in the room where the fire is believed to have begun. Thirteen others needed hospital care, and dozens more had to leave the residence temporarily. The response included the evacuation of two floors, 16 SEM units and the deployment of 13 fire vehicles with 40 personnel. Firefighters continued checking the building after the flames were out. The cause remained under investigation in the available reports.
