An 80-year-old woman died on Friday morning after a fire broke out at her home in Vilafranca de Bonany.
The emergency services were alerted around 5am. Firefighters were able to control the fire at the house, but paramedics were unable to save the life of the elderly woman.
Her caregiver had been trapped in the house as well, but she managed to get out, having suffered smoke inhalation. Initial investigations point to an electric brazier having been the cause of the fire.
A neighbour says that the woman (Francisca) was a good person and that her passing was a great loss. This neighbour explains: "I woke up to a lot of shouting. We arrived before the emergency services and tried to help, but thick, black smoke was coming out."
Francisca, who had mobility problems that required a walker, had lived with her caregiver since the death of her husband, a former Guardia Civil officer, four years ago. Her son, who lives a few streets away, was alerted by the caregiver. He tried to go in, but ferocity of the flames and smoke made it impossible.