A man linked to the Mossos d’Esquadra was detained this Monday after a fire damaged an apartment in Artesa de Segre, Lleida. The incident left his partner seriously burned and she was transported to a hospital for treatment. The suspect was moved to Vall d’Hebron hospital in Barcelona for evaluation and care.
According to information reported by TV3 and corroborated by Catalan police sources, the detainee is associated with a local individual cited as his partner. The fire occurred while the partner was inside the dwelling. The person responsible reportedly left the building and was arrested approximately three hours later.
Authorities are examining whether the events constitute a case of gender-based violence. Emergency services received a call from the 112 line reporting a fire in a three-story apartment building around 04:00. Fire crews arrived promptly and confirmed the scene pointed to a residence fire as the cause of the incident.
The alleged perpetrator was arrested between 07:00 and 08:00 in Artesa de Segre, very near the couple’s home. The fire damaged part of the couple’s residence, prompting the evacuation of neighboring tenants as a precautionary measure. Those residents have since returned to their homes.
In the incident, the partner sustained serious burn injuries. Initially, responders with the Emergency Medical System (SEM) aimed to transport the woman to Arnau de Vilanova hospital in Lleida, but she was ultimately transferred to Vall d’Hebron hospital in Barcelona for specialized care.
Fire department sources from the Generalitat indicated that the fire partially consumed the couple’s home. Six fire crews, along with ambulances and police patrols, coordinated to control the blaze within about half an hour. The investigation continues, with authorities collecting evidence at the scene to determine the sequence of events and any potential motive behind the blaze. The case has drawn attention locally as investigators assess whether the incident is linked to violence against women and whether the suspect’s actions meet the criteria for such a crime.
Regional authorities emphasized ongoing collaboration between the Mossos d’Esquadra, the fire department, and medical services to establish a clear understanding of what unfolded. Eyewitness accounts and security footage are being reviewed to reconstruct the timeline and identify any additional individuals who may have been affected by the incident. The community is awaiting updates as investigators work to determine the exact cause of the fire and the full extent of the injuries involved.
Authorities continue to remind residents to exercise caution in situations involving residential fires and to report any suspicious activity immediately. The authorities have not released further details about the relationship between the individuals involved or any potential prior incidents. The case remains under active investigation as prosecutors evaluate possible charges based on the collected evidence and the evolving findings from the scene.