Madrid
Madrid flat fire reveals cocaine laboratory
By h.b.
May 19, 2008 - 9:26 PM

A fire at a flat in the Pilar district of Madrid revealed a secret drug making laboratory. 13 people, including seven police, were injured by smoke inhalation from the fire which broke out in the early hours of Monday during a party in the flat, and which resulted in the home being gutted by the flames and thick smoke.

Police made four arrests after the fire was brought under control, three of them people who had to be rescued by the fire service.

Spain’s gossip television programmes have made much of the fact that two of the four arrested were transvestites and that neighbours said they were often fighting in the early hours of the morning.

Among those rescued by the fire service are a pensioner couple aged 83 and 77 who live in the adjoining flat.