A total of five people died in the major fire in the Spanish city of Valencia. A high-rise building with more than 130 apartments was completely engulfed in flames. At least 14 people are missing.
At least five people have now died in the high-rise building fire in Valencia. According to the fire department, at least 14 other people were injured in the fire in the country’s third largest city, including six firefighters. At least 14 people are missing. At the same time, an investigation into the cause of the devastating fire was initiated, according to a message on the judiciary’s website.
The high-rise complex with several blocks and 143 apartments on up to 15 floors, which was only completed a few years ago, was completely engulfed in flames in a very short time. 22 firefighting teams were deployed. Footage shared online showed firefighters rescuing a father and his daughter from a balcony.
Fire spread “within minutes.”
The fire broke out in an apartment on one of the lower floors and spread rapidly across the facade made of flammable materials, partly due to strong winds, experts explained in Spanish media. A representative of the local engineering chamber told broadcaster A Punt that the fire was able to spread so quickly because the facade was covered with highly flammable polyurethane. A resident told TVE that the building was ablaze “within minutes,” “as if it were made of straw.” Strong winds fanned the fire.
The extinguishing work continued on Friday night. According to media reports, the four fatalities were discovered with the help of drones; the firefighting teams were not yet able to enter the building. First, the largely burnt-out structure had to be further cooled from the outside, the authorities said.
Prime Minister Sánchez is shocked
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reacted with shock to the “terrible fire”. He promised the local authorities “all necessary support,” he explained in the online service X.
The case brings back memories of the tragedy at London’s Grenfell Tower in 2017. 72 people were killed when the 24-story apartment building burned. In this case, too, the fire spread through the highly combustible facade cladding. The investigation into the case is still ongoing.
Franka Welz, ARD Madrid, tagesschau, February 23, 2024 6:36 a.m