Authorities have completed the formal identification of thirteen people who lost their lives at the Teatre and Fonda Milagros nightspots. The investigation continues to unravel the fire that damaged three venues in Murcia, with early indications pointing to air conditioning cylinders as a potential ignition source. This conclusion draws on multiple eyewitness accounts. Six victims were verified through fingerprint analysis, while the remaining seven were identified by comparing DNA samples from relatives.
With identifications confirmed, families from Nicaragua, Colombia, and Ecuador are expected to receive their loved ones in the coming hours, following autopsies already performed. The Murcia regional government is coordinating efforts to reunite the families of five victims from the Atalayas area fire with relatives in Spain, Marseille, Ecuador, and Nicaragua.
Administrative resources confirm that the state will cover regrouping costs and coordinate the support needs arising in each case, working closely with the municipal councils of Murcia and Caravaca de la Cruz. In Caravaca de la Cruz, two couples of Ecuadorian and Colombian origin live nearby, highlighting the international dimension of the tragedy.
Thorough visual inspection to determine causes
Six investigators from science and police units resumed on-site sampling at the damaged facility this week. The team inspected facades and roofs, employing drones to capture photos and video for documentation and analysis.
While it is premature to determine the exact cause, initial lines of inquiry suggest the blaze began on the first floor of La Fonda Milagros, where thirteen victims were found within a roughly twenty-square-meter area.
The precise start time remains under review, though the initial emergency calls were logged at 06:00 hours. Firefighters and forensic teams continue to reconstruct the sequence of events from that morning.
Testimony from witnesses a key component
In addition to specialist fire officers, judicial police are collecting statements from relatives and witnesses who were present during the incident. Dozens of testimonies are expected in the coming days as investigators seek a clearer timeline of events.
Officials emphasize that understanding how the night unfolded could influence the investigation. A police spokesman noted that fifteen witnesses have already visited the station to provide information that may illuminate the fire’s origin and timing.
Claims about flames in the air conditioning system
Among those interviewed, several witnesses described flames emerging from air conditioning ducts near the back area, close to the DJ booth and the wall separating Teatre and Fonda Milagros.
Multiple accounts confirm visible flames in the ventilation system, and one witness recalled intense cooling from the air conditioner before the device stopped functioning as the fire began to intensify. The witness left the venue with only an hour remaining before the blaze escalated.
A police spokesperson reiterated that fifteen witnesses have provided information essential to understand the fire’s origins and progression.
Potential penalties and accountability
The regional chief prosecutor explained that if the deaths are found to result from gross negligence, those responsible could face up to nine years in prison. He stressed that this decision will depend on the judicial process and the police and expert reports, noting that the initial conduct will be scrutinized to determine penalties.
Investigators will also determine whether the fire originated due to negligence by the venue itself or through the actions of a specific individual. Regarding liability, it is crucial to establish whether the affected venues held insurance to ensure possible compensation for victims.