A tragic fire occurred in a residential building in Manlleu, near Barcelona, on the night of Monday, October 16, killing five teenagers aged between 14 to 18 years. The local authorities reported that the young people were gathered in the building to inhale nitrous oxide, also known as 'laughing gas'. The fire started in a storage room of the five-story building, and the emergency services faced challenges in reaching those inside due to the intense conditions of the blaze. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, they were unable to rescue the victims in time.

The Catalan Fire Service stated that the cause of the fire remains unknown, and the incident has raised significant concerns about safety in residential buildings, particularly regarding the supervision of gatherings of minors. The local police were informed about the situation and confirmed the ages of the deceased but withheld further details about their identities. The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief in the community, particularly among the families of the victims, who are grappling with this devastating loss.

In a statement to journalists, Manlleu's mayor, Arnau Rovira, described the event as 'the darkest day' for the town. There has also been attention paid to the fact that four police officers involved in the response suffered smoke inhalation, highlighting the dangerous conditions emergency responders sometimes face in situations like this. Authorities are likely to conduct investigations not only into the fire's cause but also into the circumstances that led to these young people being in a hazardous situation. The implications of this incident will resonate throughout the community and raise critical discussions surrounding youth safety, social gatherings, and emergency preparedness in residential areas.