The Guardia Civil suspect that the car fire that affected two apartment blocks in Sa Coma (Sant Llorenç) on Saturday morning may have been deliberate.
The car, a Toyota C-HR hybrid, was in the car park beneath one of the blocks. It belongs to a woman who lives in the apartment building. She has been the victim of gender-based violence. Because of this link, what initially appeared to be an accidental fire has turned into a possible case of arson.
The fire started around 7.30am. In all, eighty people had to be evacuated from the two blocks, the one immediately above the car park having been the more badly affected. Twenty-three people were treated for smoke inhalation, and twenty-five people, including the woman, were given emergency shelter at the local sports centre.
On Monday, officers from the Crime Lab are due to inspect the car and the scene in seeking to determine if the fire was deliberate or caused by a short circuit.