An 86 year old woman died on a Friday afternoon in a fire that affected the dining room of a residence located in the very heart of Girona town. The incident occurred in the area of La Selva within the Caldes de Malavella municipality, a detail that underscores how quickly a home can become hazardous when flames take hold. Local authorities have yet to reveal the exact causes of the blaze, but the event has deeply impacted residents and officials alike as they seek to understand how such a tragedy unfolded in a central, normally busy district.
The building where the fire began is situated on the ground floor with two additional stories above. Its location sits directly beside the town hall, known as Casa dels Gegants de Caldes de Malavella, and other municipal services, all of which reportedly remained operational during the emergency. The proximity of public offices to the fire scene heightened the urgency for a rapid response while ensuring minimal disruption to civic operations in the area.
Firefighters mobilized promptly, deploying a total of five teams that included three water-equipped fire engines and two light command and coordination vehicles. In addition to the fire units, Mossos d’Esquadra, the regional police force, joined the scene to oversee safety and assist with the legal procedures surrounding the incident. The Medical Emergency System, SEM, dispatched one advanced life support unit and two basic units to provide medical care and triage at the location. A psychological support team was also made available to help witnesses and residents cope with the emotional impact of the event.
Six people treated for smoke inhalation
By 7:35 p.m., the fire had been extinguished and the premises were left to undergo a careful inspection and ventilation process. All rooms were checked for remaining flames or hidden hotspots that could reignite. SEM reported six cases of smoke inhalation, all among adult males. Two individuals were transported to Santa Caterina hospital in Girona in a stable but slightly more serious condition, while the remaining four patients were treated on site and released after receiving care. The incident prompted a temporary disruption to some neighborhood activities, but responders were able to contain the danger and secure the area for residents and local workers as investigations begin.
Authorities emphasize that the investigation into the fire’s origin is ongoing. Fire investigators are examining electrical systems, potential cooking-related ignition sources, and any structural factors that might have contributed to the rapid spread of flames. While some residents were evacuated as a precaution, most were permitted to return home once the fire was controlled and the building was deemed safe for reentry. Community members are urged to follow official updates through local channels as technicians and law enforcement continue their work to determine what happened and to prevent similar incidents in the future.