Woman, two kids die in latest domestic violence

30 April 2004

ALCIRA – A woman and her two young children died in a house fire allegedly set by her former husband, bringing to 18 the number of women in Spain who have died in domestic violence so far this year, it was reported Friday.

Police in the town of Alcira, in Valencia province, said they went to the victims’ apartment late Thursday night following a phone call from a neighbour reporting a loud domestic disturbance.

Apparently, the ex-husband had shown up while the woman’s current spouse was at work and an argument ensued. By the time police arrived, he had fled.

The woman’s husband returned home and the family was in bed when the former spouse showed up around 3.30am Friday with a container of flammable liquid which he allegedly poured around the flat and set afire. He then locked the door so no one could escape and fled.
Killed in the blaze was the woman, who police said was around 30 years of age, and her two children, a girl aged five and a boy, eight. The husband was treated was treated for burns at a local hospital. 

Police arrested the ex-husband, 45, on murder charges. According to judicial authorities, there was a court-ordered restraining order against the man, identified only by his initials I.R.G., under which he was not allowed to contact his former wife.

She was the 18th woman to die this year in Spain at the hands of a husband, ex-spouse or partner, according to officials. Earlier this week, a 38-year-old Ukranian man stabbed his 26-year-old Russian girlfriend and their eight-month-old baby to death in Malaga.
 
[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news