The powerful explosion that tore away the facade off residential building, and killed 2, was caused by a gas leak according to the mayor.
The first images and footage shared on social media showed a tower of smoke coming out from the six-story building and rubble scattered in the street. The building is located near the city center.
“We didn’t know where the sound came from. We all thought it was from the school. We went up the stairs to the top of our building and we could see the structure of the building and lots of grey smoke.”
Leire Reparaz, Witness
Mayor José Luis Martínez Almeida confirmed the two deaths and two injuries to reporters. Reporters and eight crews of firefighters reported to the scene after the fire spread inside the building. A school is suspected to have been damaged by the explosion and a nearby nursing home was evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the explosion as “terrible”. At present two people are dead and eight have been injured, including one in a serious condition, according to the emergency services in Spain.
