A man has died after a fire broke out inside an abandoned house in Telde, Gran Canaria, during the early hours yesterday morning (Sunday).

The emergency services received an alert just after 1.00am reporting a blaze at the property on Calle Tabaibal. Firefighters extinguished the flames and found the man inside the building.

Two ambulances were sent to the house, including one with an emergency medical team. Paramedics could only confirm that the man had died.

Local residents said that the victim may have been a homeless man who regularly visited the area. This has not been officially confirmed.

A woman living opposite the property said she spoke to the trapped man through an opening in the sealed entrance, trying to keep him calm until firefighters arrived. She said he eventually stopped responding as the flames and smoke spread through the building.

Another resident reportedly approached the house from the rear with a wet blanket and attempted to reach the man. However, the thick smoke and intensity of the fire made it impossible to enter safely.

The woman praised firefighters for arriving quickly and said she did not believe the outcome was caused by any delay. Police are investigating the cause of the blaze and working to formally identify the victim.

Neighbours have also said that the house had been sealed at the front but remained accessible from other parts of the property. They claimed that several requests had been made for the entire building to be secured.

Residents later left flowers at the property with a tribute to a man they knew as “Tony”, who regularly visited the neighbourhood. Police have not officially confirmed that this was the victim’s identity.

The relevant authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire.