Fire Fighters Injured in Arson Rescue

A total of seven people were injured on Thursday in a house fire in Torrevieja, which had apparently been started intentionally.

According to the reports from the Provincial Fire Consortium, the fire was started by a man who had intended to commit suicide.

Amongst those injured are two fire fighters who attended the incident, and two young girls, said to be aged 5 and 9.

During the blaze, some fifteen people and five pets were evacuated from the building whilst the flames were brought under control.

The Guardia Civil received an urgent call on Thursday morning and two officers attended the building on Calle Dr. Mariano Ruiz Cánovas. The report started that a man had started the fire intentionally, and that he was suffering mental health issues, resulting in his intention to take his own life.

The officers broke into the building, for fear of the safety of the occupants, but were fought back by the flames, despite using several fire extinguishers in their heroic attempt.

The rescue involved creating safe passages trough the flames, and helping victim off the balconies and into the street.

The man who allegedly started the fire was also rescued and was subsequently arrested, although he was placed into the care of medical staff for psychological assistance.

In total, three fire tenders and sixteen fire fighters attended the scene from Torrevieja, along with three ambulances, one of which was a paramedic unit, and they treated a 43-year-old fire fighter who suffered a leg injury, another fire fighter who was also make an 42-years-of-age, suffering from arrhythmia, and the two girls were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.

The other people treated by medics, all suffering from smoke inhalation, were two women of 31 and 46-years-of-ag, and a man of 76. All those who were treated at the scene were taken to Torrevieja hospital for further care.

As back up, units were also sent to assist from Orihuela and Almoradí. Everyone in the building, human and animals, were rescued by the collective effort.

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