In Valencia, Spain, a massive fire has tragically claimed the lives of at least four individuals in a tall residential building, according to emergency responders.
The fire erupted in a 14-story building located in the Campanar neighborhood, quickly spreading to an adjacent structure.
Firefighters were observed conducting daring rescues from balconies, with approximately nineteen people still unaccounted for.
“Fourteen individuals, including six firefighters and a child, have sustained injuries during the blaze,” reports indicate.
Strong winds exacerbated the fire’s intensity, while suspicions linger regarding the potential role of highly flammable cladding in the rapid spread of the flames.
Over twenty firefighting teams mobilized to combat the inferno, resulting in the building being reduced to a charred husk by early Friday morning.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area for safety reasons.
The residential block housed 138 apartments and accommodated around 450 residents, according to the building’s management cited by El Pais newspaper.
Eyewitnesses recounted dramatic scenes of rescue efforts, including firefighters employing cranes to save occupants, such as a couple residing on the seventh floor.
In the aftermath, questions have arisen concerning the building’s construction materials.
Esther Puchades, vice president of the College of Industrial Technical Engineers of Valencia, highlighted concerns over the use of polyurethane material on the building’s exterior, known for its flammability.
Residents shared harrowing experiences, with one individual describing how the flames rapidly engulfed the building within minutes of ignition, possibly exacerbated by the facade material.
Engineer David Higuera suggested that the cladding on the building could have contributed to the swift propagation of the fire, noting the combustibility of the aluminum plates with foam insulation.
Authorities sprung into action following the emergency call around 17:30 local time, establishing a field hospital in the vicinity and arranging temporary housing in hotels for displaced individuals.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his condolences and solidarity via X (formerly known as Twitter), acknowledging the efforts of emergency personnel deployed to the scene.
He wrote, “Dismayed by the terrible fire in a building in Valencia…
I want to convey my solidarity to all the people affected and recognition to all the emergency personnel already deployed at the scene.”
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