Authorities respond to a domestic violence incident in Artesa de Segre
In Artesa de Segre, a municipal center in Lleida, a serious incident unfolded in the early hours when Mossos d’Esquadra arrested a 39-year-old man, a Portuguese national, after an alleged attempt to burn his partner alive. The incident took place around four in the morning inside a three-story block on the same street as the town’s central square. The victim, a 48-year-old woman of Hispanic origin, faced the brutal attack as flames were directed at her in what appears to have been a domestic violence scenario.
According to information gathered by El Periódico de Catalunya, part of the Prensa Ibérica group, the suspect allegedly sprayed a flammable liquid on the woman and then ignited it. Investigators are seeking to determine whether the partner also set the residence on fire before leaving the scene, and they are examining whether a door was locked to impede the victim’s escape. The investigation continues as authorities piece together the sequence of events and assess the motive behind the attack.
The woman sustained severe burns to her arms and face, covering around 20 percent of her body surface. She was immediately transported to a burn unit at Vall d’Hebron Hospital, where specialists and advanced medical equipment are available to treat serious burn injuries. Her condition and prognosis are being monitored by medical professionals as part of ongoing care.
The man was also taken to a hospital, Arnau de Vilanova de Lleida, with burn injuries but in a less critical state. Police and prosecutors collected statements from witnesses and examined physical evidence to support the preliminary assessment that the man attempted to burn the woman alive. The authorities have stated that the incident is being treated as domestic violence, reflecting the troubling pattern of aggression within intimate relationships.
Emergency responders and fire crews, including teams from the Generalitat fire department, arrived promptly at the building and worked to control the flames. By the time help arrived, the residence had been evacuated and all residents were able to reach safety in the street. Official reports indicate that the building’s structure remained intact and the surrounding families were able to return to their homes about an hour after the incident was contained.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities in Catalonia are focusing on domestic violence indicators, evaluating the risk to the survivor, and coordinating with health and social services to ensure the victim’s safety and access to assistance. The case continues to be examined by the Catalan police as new details emerge, with a view to delivering accountability and support to those affected by such violent acts.