10 killed in nursing home fire in Spain, victims died from smoke inhalation

A tragic nursing home fire in Spain claimed 10 lives due to smoke inhalation, authorities confirm.

A devastating fire at a nursing home in Villafranca de Ebro, located in Spain’s Aragon region, has left 10 residents dead. Authorities confirmed that the victims succumbed to smoke inhalation, not burns, as the blaze occurred around 5 a.m. local time on November 15. Two other residents are in critical condition after being hospitalized.

Regional leader Jorge Azcón declared a day of mourning for November 16 to honor the victims, ordering flags to fly at half-mast across Aragon. Local mayor Volga Ramírez Gamiz suggested that the fire may have started when a mattress caught fire, causing thick, intense smoke that quickly overcame residents.

The nursing home, operational for 16 years, specializes in caring for individuals with dementia and mental health challenges. Residents include younger individuals, with some as young as 25, according to the mayor. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences on social media, stating, “I hope those in serious condition recover soon.”

Emergency responders managed to contain the fire, which had not spread extensively, but the thick smoke proved fatal. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire.