The blaze broke out at around 7 am (0600 GMT) in a room on the first floor of the residence which is home to 39 people, authorities said.

“We found the second floor flooded with smoke and we had to evacuate the residents who were there to a secure place,” said firefighter Jose Luis Castillo.

One of the injured, a woman, was in critical condition due to burns while the rest were taken to hospital with moderate or light injuries, mostly due to smoke inhalation.

“The problem was the evacuation and presence of smoke. Once again, smoke is what ends up causing harm. One of the deaths was due to smoke inhalation,” firefighter Roberto Moreira told reporters at the scene.

Spanish media said the women who died, as well as the one in critical condition, were in their 80s.

The cause of the blaze is still being investigated.

Nuestras más sentidas condolencias por las dos fallecidas tras el incendio en una residencia de Moncloa-Aravaca. Todo el apoyo y cariño de Madrid, y nuestros deseos de recuperación de las personas heridas.

DEP

— José Luis Martínez-Almeida (@AlmeidaPP_) February 18, 2024

“Our deepest condolences for the two who died after the fire in a residence,” Madrid mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida wrote on X.

And head of the regional government of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, said she “deeply regretted the death of two women” at the residence.

“Our support for the deceased, the injured and the workers of the residence. We are available for all that they need. RIP,” she wrote on X.

Lamentamos profundamente el fallecimiento de dos mujeres en la Residencia Juan XXIII de Aravaca a causa de un incendio.

Nuestro apoyo al entorno de las fallecidas, los heridos y los trabajadores del centro. Estamos a su disposición para todo lo que necesiten. DEP.

— Isabel Díaz Ayuso (@IdiazAyuso) February 18, 2024