Spanish nightclub hit by deadly fire was ordered to close last year

A Spanish nightclub which was the location of a deadly blaze this weekend, resulting in the deaths of 13 people, was ordered to close last year the BBC reports.

Fonda Milagros in Murcia, and its neighbouring nightclubs Golden and Teatre, were caught in a fire in the early hours of Monday morning at around 6:AM.

New reports now suggest that the company running the venues only had permission to run the Teatre, and it remains unclear how it was able to continue operation of the Fonda Milagros.

Murcia's Deputy Mayor Antonio Navarro, told reporters that the council had ordered the Teatre and Fonda Milagros nightclubs to close in January 2022.

In an interview with Las Mañanas de RNE Rebeca Pérez, vice mayor of Murcia City Council said: "We still have no indication as to whether the premises had all the safety regulations. All municipal services are already working on the investigation. Yesterday the priority was rescuing bodies"

Francisco Jiménez, Government delegate in the Region of Murcia has told La Hora: "There have been 13 deaths. There are no more deaths and, according to the data we have from the Government delegation and the National Police, there are no more missing people."

Mayor José Ballesta, confirms on Twitter that the last of the missing people have appearred to be in “good condition”.

He continues: “The firefighters leave the burned premises and the scientific and judicial police enter to carry out the investigation work.”

According to La7 Pérez has said that there are currently 17 people staying in hotels in Murcia with constant psychological support since the incident.

The fire marks the Spain’s deadliest nightclub fire since 43 people were killed in Zaragoza in 1990.

A total of 100 officials and 22 vehicles have worked at the scene to stop the fire and rescue individuals.

Murcia’s emergency services have said: “The early morning of October 1 will be forever marked in our hearts, no one in the history of Murcia Firefighters remembers a service of these characteristics.”

Mayor Ballesta has declared three days of official mourning for those who died in the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

This is a developing story.

Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Multimedia Editor, follow her on Twitter