Lorraine Williamson
Investigators in Catalonia are working to establish how five teenagers died in a fire that broke out in a rooftop storage room of an apartment building in Manlleu, a town north of Barcelona. As new details emerge, the focus has shifted to how the fire started and why those inside were unable to escape.
The blaze broke out on Monday evening in a storage unit on the top floor of a residential block. Emergency services extinguished the fire quickly, but the five young people inside the room could not be saved. Several others suffered minor injuries.
Authorities have opened an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and the circumstances that led to the deaths. Early indications suggest the victims died from smoke inhalation inside the confined space.
A gathering place that became a trap
Police say the fire began in a storage room on the roof of the building, a space that was not used as a home but had become an informal meeting place for local teenagers.
The victims, aged between 14 and 17, were all students at local schools and are believed to have been spending time together in the room when the fire started.
Investigators are examining whether combustible materials stored in the room allowed smoke to spread rapidly in the small, poorly ventilated space. Early findings suggest the smoke filled the area quickly, leaving little time for escape.
Firefighters reported that the blaze itself was relatively contained and brought under control within around half an hour, but the conditions inside the storage room proved fatal.
Cause still under investigation
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the fire. Early speculation about a possible explosion has been ruled out by investigators, who say there is no evidence of gas cylinders or a blast.
Instead, the focus is on whether a small ignition source inside the room — potentially involving stored materials — triggered the blaze. Forensic teams continue to examine the scene, and conclusions will depend on technical reports.
Officials have also confirmed that the young people did not live in the building. How they accessed the rooftop storage area and why they remained inside as the fire spread are key questions in the ongoing inquiry.
A community in mourning
The deaths have deeply affected the town of Manlleu, which has a population of just over 20,000. Local authorities declared days of mourning, and schools attended by the victims have activated psychological support services for students and staff.
Residents and classmates have gathered near the building to pay tribute and support the families involved. The tragedy has sparked broader discussion about youth spaces, building access, and safety in residential blocks.
What happens next
The Mossos d’Esquadra and judicial authorities continue to collect evidence and interview witnesses. Formal identification procedures and forensic examinations are ongoing.
At this stage, investigators believe the incident was accidental, but the inquiry remains open while the exact sequence of events is clarified.
Further updates are expected once forensic reports are completed and authorities confirm the final findings. For now, the focus remains on supporting the families and understanding how a small fire in a confined space led to such devastating consequences.