MANLLEU, February 17 – Five individuals have tragically lost their lives, and four others sustained minor injuries, following a fire that engulfed a five-story residential building in the municipality of Manlleu, Barcelona. The Generalitat Fire Department responded to the emergency call at 9:10 PM on Monday.
Fire Originates in Rooftop Storage Room Used as Dwelling
The blaze, which was reported to have started in a storage room on the building’s rooftop, was reportedly being used as a living space. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, according to a statement released by the Generalitat Fire Department. At least four of the victims were found inside the makeshift dwelling and were unable to escape for reasons still under investigation. All four injured individuals suffered only minor ailments and did not require hospitalization.
Emergency Response and Extinguishment
Thirteen fire brigades were dispatched to Montseny Street in Manlleu after multiple residents alerted emergency services to the fire on an upper floor and the presence of smoke in the building’s stairwell. Firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze by 9:41 PM.
Investigation Underway by Mossos d’Esquadra
The Investigation Unit of the Mossos d’Esquadra has taken charge of the case to ascertain the precise cause of the devastating incident.
Catalan President Expresses Condolences
Salvador Illa, President of the Generalitat de Catalunya, expressed his profound sorrow over the loss of life. In a message posted on the social media platform ‘X’, President Illa conveyed his deepest condolences to the victims’ families and friends and wished a swift recovery to the injured. He also extended his support to the Mayor of Manlleu, Arnau Rovira.
“Commocionat per la mort de cinc persones a conseqüència d’un incendi a un edifici de Manlleu. El meu sentit condol als seus familiars i amistats. Desitjo una ràpida recuperació a les persones ferides. Tot el meu suport a l’alcalde @ArnauRovMar i el meu agraïment als serveis…” – Salvador Illa Roca (@salvadorilla) February 17, 2026
Three Days of Official Mourning Declared
In response to the tragedy, Mayor Arnau Rovira declared three days of official mourning for the five fatalities. In a statement on ‘X’, Rovira announced, “The City Council will decree 3 days of mourning, flags will fly at half-mast as a sign of respect and remembrance for the victims. We call for 1 minute of silence today, February 17, at 7:00 PM in front of the City Hall.”
Community Impact and Previous Incidents
The incident has deeply affected the community of Manlleu. This tragic event follows other recent fires in the region, including a similar incident in Xàbia (Alicante) where at least two people died and 40 were displaced. The investigation into the Manlleu fire is ongoing, with authorities working to provide answers and support to those affected.
Source: https://elpais.com/espana/catalunya/2026-02-16/cinco-personas-mueren-en-un-incendio-en-un-bloque-de-viviendas-en-manlleu-barcelona.html
