Homeless man dies in fire at a flat in Palma

A 43-year-old man of no fixed address was found dead yesterday by Local Police and fire officers in Palma when they were called to extinguish a blaze at a flat in Calle Balanguera.

Police said in a statement that the flat appeared to be uninhabited but had been used as a temporary shelter by beggars. The same sources said they were unsure what caused the fire and whether of not the dead man had in fact been killed by the smoke and flames. An investigation has been launched.

The blaze, which broke out in the afternoon, only affected one property and was quickly extinguished by the Fire Service. There were no other people in the flat at the time but utilitarian items found suggested there were other homeless people using the premises.