A person with limited mobility lost their life in a fire that began in a duplex building located on Carrer Guifré in Badalona, a city within the Barcelona metropolitan area. The incident unfolded on a Wednesday night, and the circumstances surrounding the fire remain partly unclear as authorities continue their investigations.
Emergency services, specifically the Generalitat fire department, were alerted to the blaze at 20:53. Responders dispatched seven units to the scene, arriving to confront the flames on the exterior of the three-story duplex and to search for anyone who might still be inside. At the outset, crews were warned that a person could be trapped within the building, prompting rapid and coordinated actions to conduct rescues while simultaneously tackling the fire’s spread.
As firefighters worked to control the blaze, one team reached a third of the way up the structure and confirmed that a person was present on the second floor of the duplex. The occupant appeared to be unable to evacuate independently due to mobility restrictions, a factor that likely influenced the prioritization of search and rescue efforts within the residence.
According to Mossos d’Esquadra sources, the victim’s identity had not yet been confirmed pending an identity verification process. The body was inside a building that had become heavily obscured by smoke, requiring ventilation to ensure access for investigators and responders. Police personnel undertook the process of safeguarding the scene and facilitating subsequent procedures for confirming identity and handling the remains.
Once the immediate danger had been addressed and conditions stabilized, the fire was considered under control at 21:22. In addition to the seven fire units, four Mossos patrols, including the Investigation Unit, were deployed to the area, alongside the Badalona Local Police and four ambulances operated by the Medical Emergency System (SEM). The coordinated response reflected the seriousness of the situation and the need for a thorough on-site assessment by forensic and investigative teams.
Throughout the operation, responders remained focused on extinguishing remaining hotspots, securing the scene, and preserving evidence that could clarify the fire’s origin and sequence of events. Local authorities indicated that the investigation would continue to determine the precise cause of the blaze, the timeline of ignition, and any contributing factors related to the structural design of the duplex and the mobility needs of residents. The incident highlights the critical importance of rapid access, effective ventilation, and the readiness of emergency services to adapt their tactics when vulnerable occupants are involved. Future updates will likely address findings from investigative work and any safety lessons drawn from this event.