The bodies of three people were found in a fire-damaged home this Saturday afternoon in Ceutí. An emergency call led investigators to the scene, where police sources confirmed the grim discovery.
The event unfolded around 2:30 p.m. local time. Responding officers approached the residence at number 13 on Magdalena Street, where shutters showed signs of extreme heat and scorching. The authorities attempted to enter the dwelling but met with resistance, prompting them to raise the alert and request fire and forensic teams to assist on site.
Firefighters gained access and began a careful interior search. Inside, three deceased individuals were located. Preliminary information indicates the victims were a couple and their six-year-old son.
The dwelling is an older structure that had belonged to a longtime resident of Ceutí. Years ago it was rented to a couple with a young child. In the past, the couple operated a small bar near the City Hall, though the business has since closed. The home’s owner has connections to Madrid and was reportedly at home when the tragedy occurred.
This is a tragedy
One witness, the property owner, described the loss as a devastating turn for the street. He told La Opinión from the Prensa Ibérica group that the home had belonged to his family for generations and that the incident is heartbreaking. He said he last saw the couple earlier in the week when collecting rent. While items and property may be replaceable, the focus remains on the lives lost and the impact on the neighborhood. He plans to return to Ceutí in the coming days and offers support to the affected family members and community members.
After the bodies were located, security forces and local institutions coordinated a response. It was decided that the bodies would be transported to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Murcia for a detailed examination to determine the cause of death and establish a clear timeline of events.
With slow burn
Because autopsy results were not immediately available, investigators are considering several possibilities. The leading theory suggests that a fire occurred within the residence, though there are questions about the fire’s origin. Some reports indicate that residents of the neighborhood may have died from gas exposure or carbon monoxide poisoning, a scenario being evaluated given that no neighbors reported flames in the area recently.
Authorities estimate the fire may have started on the night between Thursday and Friday, as the child did not attend school on Friday. The initial theory points to an electrical fault as the probable trigger for the blaze, though nothing is certain until further forensic analysis is completed. The Civil Guard has taken charge of the investigation to determine what happened and why, with a focus on reconstructing the sequence of events and identifying any contributing factors.
Sonia Almela, the mayor of Ceutí, reached out to the homeowner to express condolences and support for the family and community affected by this tragedy.