A five-year-old boy died as a result of a blast and ensuing fire at a commercial building in Alcorcón, Madrid, on Thursday afternoon. His nine-month-old brother was rushed to a hospital in Madrid for serious injuries. The tragedy was confirmed by the Madrid 112 Emergency Situations Community, and the incident prompted a large-scale response from local firefighters and emergency services.
Initial reports described an explosion on Oslo Street in Alcorcón that was followed by a fire. Firefighters from the Alcorcón area, along with Civil Protection units, Red Cross teams, and Summa emergency personnel, arrived to contain the blaze and prevent smoke from spreading to adjacent stairwells and residences. The blaze was later brought under control, with crews continuing to monitor the scene for hot spots and to ensure safe evacuation routes.
The authorities indicated that the child died due to smoke inhalation. The infant brother experienced cardiac and respiratory arrest upon arrival of medical crews, but responders managed to stabilize him and he was transferred to a hospital where his condition was later described as serious. The mother, aged around 30, was transported to Getafe Hospital in serious condition. All family members affected by the smoke inhalation received medical evaluation and care on site and were subsequently admitted where necessary.
In addition to the immediate family, several neighbors were treated for smoke inhalation. Four of them were assessed as having moderate injuries while a number of others showed milder symptoms; most were expected to be discharged once stabilized. The incident occurred at about 19:15 within a commercial building that was undergoing renovations, located at 45 Oslo Street in the municipality. Police sources provided the information to the media outlet Efe.
Preliminary investigations suggested that a gas pipe rupture could have triggered the explosion and the subsequent fire. The resulting smoke spread upward through a six-story building containing multiple apartments. Fire crews were assisted at the scene by city and regional emergency services as well as the Red Cross, all coordinating to execute evacuations and rescue operations. A waiter from a nearby restaurant reported witnessing the evacuation of dozens of people from the area around the damaged building.
Witness accounts noted that authorities cordoned off a wide perimeter around the building and coordinated the evacuation that extended from the area near Renfe Las Retamas station toward surrounding roads. The ongoing investigation seeks to determine the exact sequence of events and confirm the gas fault as the primary cause, while responders focus on the safe recovery of residents and ensuring there are no remaining hazards from the fire or smoke. The response showcased the collaboration among municipal fire brigades, emergency medical services, and civil protection units in managing a high-risk incident within a densely occupied urban area.