Spanish media report that around 05:00 today a fire broke out in the Jardines de Villafranca home for the elderly, which specialises in care for those with dementia. Ten residents died and two more were injured. Zaragoza firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, which was reported to have started in a bedroom, although exact causes are as yet unclear.

This tragedy need not have happened. In other countries the experience of real fires, as well as research, has proven that sprinklers can save the lives of even the most vulnerable in our society. In Europe Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden and the UK already require sprinklers in care homes. We hope that this tragedy will lead to a rethink on fire safety in care homes in Spain and that the technical building code, which it was recently announced will be revised, will upgrade fire safety in care homes in Spain by introducing a requirement for them to be protected with sprinklers.