Firefighters managed to rescue the owner, a woman with Diogenes syndrome, who did not want to leave the burning house. She will be offered psychiatric support and involuntary admission is being considered.
The Bombers de Mallorca, Guardia Civil, Civil Protection, and Local Police of Llucmajor are continuing to work on extinguishing the fire declared in a house on carrer Major. The fire, which started around 15:15 on Wednesday, has already been controlled in its worst parts, but the accumulation of rubbish inside is hindering its total extinguishment.
The owner of the house, a woman suffering from Diogenes syndrome, was inside when the fire started. Investigators suggest that the fire was likely caused by her hoarding disorder. The affected woman was reluctant to leave, but firefighters managed to rescue her safe and sound through a back door.
Psychiatric support and possible involuntary admission
Mental health and medical professionals present at the scene are coordinating psychiatric support for the woman, who has been reluctant to accept it. The possibility of involuntary admission to the psychiatry department of a hospital is being considered. This measure aims to ensure her safety and prevent the situation from recurring.
Smoke has filled Major Street and adjacent roads, forcing the Local Police to close traffic due to visibility issues. Additionally, three neighbouring houses have been evacuated due to the risk of poisoning, as the smoke spreads rapidly. Authorities have also had to move several private vehicles to prevent sparks from the fire from igniting new hotspots.
Object accumulation as fuel
Firefighters from the Llucmajor, Manacor, and Felanitx parks continue on site, but the large amount of accumulated rubbish is acting as fuel and delaying total extinguishment. The house, which had an extreme accumulation of objects, has complicated the efforts of the teams, who are working carefully to prevent the fire from reigniting.
The incident has highlighted the vulnerability of individuals with hoarding disorders, who often live in risky conditions. The Llucmajor Town Hall has stated that necessary measures will be evaluated to prevent similar situations in the future.
Local residents have expressed their concern for safety, although the quick intervention of emergency services prevented the fire from spreading to other houses. Major Street will remain closed until the extinguishment is complete and debris is cleared.
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