A devastating fire ripped through a high-rise apartment block in Valencia, Spain, claiming the lives of at least four individuals and leaving 14 others injured, including a seven-year-old child and six firefighters. The inferno, which broke out on Thursday evening, prompted a massive emergency response involving over 20 firefighting units and five ambulances.
According to Jorge Suarez Torres, the deputy director of emergency services for the Valencia region, the fire swiftly engulfed the building, located in the Campanar neighborhood, spreading from the fourth floor upwards. Tragically, the intense blaze reduced the 14-story structure to a skeleton within a short span of time.
Authorities have expressed concerns as 14 individuals remain unaccounted for, raising fears that the death toll could rise further. The injured have been rushed to hospitals for urgent medical attention, with 12 of them being transferred to medical facilities, as confirmed by emergency services.
Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene of residents trapped on their balconies, awaiting rescue amidst the raging flames. Esther Puchades, deputy head of Valencia’s Industrial Engineers Association, highlighted that the fire spread rapidly due to the highly flammable polyurethane cladding covering the building.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed shock and solidarity with the affected individuals, pledging full support to the city of Valencia during this trying time. Valencia Mayor Maria Jose Catala urged residents to stay clear of the fire-ravaged area to facilitate the work of emergency services.
The tragic incident has cast a shadow over Valencia, prompting Mayor Catala to declare three days of official mourning in honor of the lives lost. This catastrophe comes on the heels of Spain’s deadliest nightclub fire in three decades, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and vigilance in fire prevention efforts across the country.
As investigations into the cause of the blaze continue, the Valencia community mourns the loss of its residents and grapples with the aftermath of this devastating tragedy.
