An 84-year-old man, who was 84 years old and disabled, died on Wednesday afternoon after a fire broke out in an apartment on Avenida Argentina in Palma. The man's carer was the one who found him engulfed in flames when she entered the apartment and went out to call for help shouting "He's dead, he's dead, he's dead!", according to several witnesses.
On the scene. Photos: Alejandro Sepúlveda
The incident occurred around 2.30pm in a property on the third floor of number 18A on the avenue. Palma police patrols were the first to arrive. They tried to get to the flat, but due to the intense flames they were unable to do so.
A firefighter and a local police officer also needed assistance.
Shortly afterwards, the fire brigade arrived, and in a few minutes they extinguished the flames. At that moment, the worst fears were confirmed: the burnt body of the tenant, who was in a wheelchair, was found there.
The National Police homicide group went to the house to take samples and try to clarify what happened. According to initial hypotheses, the fire seems to have started in the house.
A dozen residents of the building were treated in the street for smoke inhalation. Two of them were taken to hospital. A firefighter and a local police officer also needed assistance.
Local residents were treated for smoke inhalation.
The incident caused a great deal of concern in the area. Students at the Institut Politènic had to be evacuated, as the property backed on to the school's courtyard. The local police cut off part of Simó Ballester street and also a stretch of Avinguda Argentina, which caused long queues in the area. Two hours later, traffic was back to normal.
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I hope it's not foul play. Poor man. May God be with him.