Nursing home fire in Spain kills 6 people

MADRID — Six residents of a nursing home in eastern Spain died after a fire that was started by a faulty power strip during the night, authorities said Wednesday.

Another 17 residents were hospitalized, with three in serious condition, the regional leader of Valencia, Ximo Puig, said.

Firefighters said a total of 70 residents were evacuated from the nursing home in the municipality of Moncada, just north of the city of Valencia.

Fire Chief Jose Basset told Spanish news agency EFE that the fire appears to have started in a bedroom on the second floor.

“The most important thing now is the recovery of those who have been injured,” Puig said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted in Spanish that he was following “the tragic news from Moncada. My condolences to the families of the victims. We are watching with concern the evolution of the injured. ”

Municipal authorities in Moncada have called for three days of mourning, with flags flying at half staff on the town hall building.