Firefighters and army experts in Valencia, Spain, are facing challenges as they assess the risks of entering a residential block that was engulfed by a devastating fire. The incident, which occurred in the eastern Spanish city, resulted in the tragic deaths of four individuals, with 14 others currently unaccounted for.
Valencia Mayor María José Catalá highlighted the dangers posed by the potential collapse of the 14-story building and the intense heat emanating from the fire, which are hindering rescue efforts to locate any survivors. Despite ongoing efforts to hose down the charred remains of the building, emergency workers have been unable to access the site.
At present, six injured individuals, including four firefighters, are receiving treatment in city hospitals. The exact number of occupants in the building at the time of the fire remains unknown, but it is believed that numerous residents have been displaced, losing their homes and possessions in the blaze.
Displaced residents have been provided temporary accommodation in hotels or with relatives and neighbors, according to authorities. The fire, which broke out on the outskirts of the city center, prompted a swift response from firefighters, who utilized a crane to rescue two individuals from a balcony as flames engulfed the structure.
The fire originated in one section of the complex before spreading to an adjacent building. A total of 90 soldiers from Spain’s Military Emergency Unit, along with 40 firefighting trucks, were mobilized to assist in the emergency response.
As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, Mayor Catalá refrained from speculating on reports suggesting that the rapid spread of the blaze may have been exacerbated by the building's construction materials. The residential block, constructed approximately 15 years ago, emitted thick plumes of black smoke visible from a distance, with weather reports indicating strong winds of up to 60 kph (40 mph) at the time of the incident.
