A woman in Cádiz, faced with eviction, covered herself in petrol and threatened to set fire to herself. The incident occurred in a municipal office for council housing.

The 30-year-old woman, who lives with her young children and husband who has cancer, had just asked to speak with the councillor in charge of the department, Pablo Román, or at the very least, with somebody there to explain her situation.

It was when the department staff confirmed that her eviction had to go ahead that she took the desperate step and doused herself with gasoline.

Police and firemen rushed to the scene, who managed to prevent this tragedy taking place, but even so the woman was taken to the medical centre with small burns to the skin.

Editorial Note: during 2013, over 39,000 families were evicted from their homes. The total number, including evictions from 2nd homes and business premises, was much higher. The Government continues to refuse to force the banks to cancel the debt once the premises is repossessed.

(News: Cadiz, Andalucia)