An explosion in the kitchen area of a bar in Barcelona caused a major fire in the early hours of yesterday.

Four people were injured, one of whom, seriously. The owner of the bar is also hospitalised with burns but she is under arrest as it is supected that she started the fire deliberately.

There are conflicting accounts as to whether it is her bar or whether she rents it, but in either case, the City Hall was going to close it down because of irregularities.

All told 34 people had to receive medical treatment for smoke inhalation.

The fire service was called out at 03.50h to the bar on Calle Valencia but the intensity of the flames caused the fire to extend to nearby buildings,. Consequently, the evacuation of the flats above the bar and inside the affected buildings had to be carried out.

Some of those evacuated from flats above the bar will have to find accommodation elsewhere owing to the damage to their homes. Residents of other affected buildings, were allowed to return later in the day when the smoke was cleared.

The Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan autonomous police) are investigating the cause of the explosion, together with forensic experts from the fire service.

The Councillor for Citizen Safety at the City Hall, Albert Batlle, explained had ordered the bar closed for over a week before owing to denuncias from neighbours. Finally, some neighbours even claimed that she had repeatedly threatened to burn the bar down.

(News: Barcelona, Cataluña)