Three members of the same family have died in a high-rise fire in Spain, according to local media reports.
Among the dead was a five-year-old boy who was found by firefighters hugging his dog, EuroWeekly News reported.
A grandmother, her son and the child were in the 11th floor apartment in Villajoyosa, in the Alicante region, when the fire broke out shortly after 2am on Monday, according to El Mundo.
Footage on social media showed the blaze in the tower block, during strong winds.
More than 100 people were evacuated as smoke and flames reached communal areas.
Around 15 people, including children, needed treatment for smoke inhalation but have since been discharged from hospital.
Three members of the same family died in the blaze. Pic: AP
Local mayor, Marcos Zaragoza, said despite their best efforts, emergency services couldn’t prevent the deaths.
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Football club Valencia CF posted on X. “We would like to send our sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims of the fire in Villajoyosa (Alicante). Rest in Peace.”
This is a senseless tragedy that could have been prevented. The city needs to do a better job of enforcing fire safety regulations.
I wonder if there was more to this story than we’re being told. It’s strange that the boy was found hugging his dog, but no one else in the family was able to escape.
I bet the dog was like, ‘Finally, some peace and quiet.’
My heart breaks for the family who lost their loved ones in this tragic fire. May they find peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Well, at least the dog died a hero. Maybe we should give it a medal or something.
I can’t imagine the pain that the family must be going through. Losing three loved ones in such a horrific way is simply unbearable.
Oh, the irony! A family dies in a fire, and all anyone can talk about is the dog. Way to keep your priorities straight, people.
The fire spread so quickly because the building was not properly equipped with fire sprinklers. This is a common problem in older buildings, and it needs to be addressed.
This tragedy is a reminder that we can never take our safety for granted. We need to be aware of the fire hazards in our homes and workplaces, and take steps to prevent them.