A devastating blaze tore through an apartment building in Valencia, Spain, resulting in the deaths of at least four individuals, with up to 14 others currently unaccounted for, according to city authorities.
Jorge Suárez, Valencia’s deputy director of emergencies, revealed that firefighters encountered significant challenges in controlling the inferno, focusing primarily on cooling the building’s exterior due to its structural complexities.
He noted the inability of firefighters to access the interior of the building to combat the flames directly.
The fire inflicted injuries on at least 14 individuals, the majority of whom were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment, including six firefighters, as reported by Valencia’s Emergency Services on social media.
Footage captured at the scene depicted the entire complex engulfed in flames, with thick smoke engulfing the area.
Fire crews were observed rescuing individuals from balconies amidst the intense blaze.
The fire broke out in the Campanar neighborhood around 5:30 p.m. local time, prompting the dispatch of 16 firefighting units to the site, according to emergency services.
Efforts to assess the building’s stability were underway to determine the risk of potential collapse, Suárez stated.
Residents nearby witnessed the tragic events unfold, expressing shock and disbelief at the scene’s devastation.
Mayor María José Alcalá issued a plea for residents to steer clear of the area to facilitate rescue operations, while arrangements were being made to accommodate those displaced by the fire in hotels.
In response to the tragedy, a three-day period of official mourning was declared starting Friday by the mayor, who expressed heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims, acknowledging the profound sorrow gripping the city.
Source-CNN
