Europe

Four dead and 19 missing after huge fire engulfs block of flats in Spain

Published

10 months ago

February 23, 2024

M10News Reporter

A massive fire broke out in a 14-storey residential building in Valencia, Spain, on Tuesday evening, killing at least four people and leaving 19 others unaccounted for—the blaze, which started around 5:30 p.m.

Local time quickly spread to an adjacent tower, trapping dozens of residents on balconies.

Firefighters, aided by soldiers from the military emergency unit, used cranes and ladders to rescue people from the inferno while paramedics set up a tent to treat the injured. At least 13 people, including six firefighters, suffered burns, fractures and smoke inhalation.

epa11173272 Smoke rises from a fire of a 14-story residential building in Valencia, eastern Spain, 22 February 2024. At least seven people were injured during the ongoing fire, and two people trapped on a balcony were rescued by firefighters. EPA/MANUEL BRUQUE — The fire quickly spread to an adjacent building Picture EPA

epa11173265 Firemen try to extinguish a fire of a 14-story residential building in Valencia, eastern Spain, 22 February 2024. At least seven people were injured during the ongoing fire, and two people trapped on a balcony were rescued by firefighters. EPA/MANUEL BRUQUE — Two people were rescued from their balcony Picture EPA

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but some witnesses said it may have been fueled by flammable materials on the facade of the building. According to Spanish media, the fire was so intense that it reduced the original apartment block to a skeleton.

A firefighter on a crane attempting to put out the Osborne View fire. — A local newspaper said the flames had reached highs of 20ft Picture UKNIP

A view from the road including firefighters and police rushing to the Osborne View fire. — Smoke has been seen billowing out of the roof of the three storey building Picture UKNIP

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his shock and solidarity with the victims and the emergency personnel on X. He also offered the city “all the help that is necessary” to deal with the aftermath of the tragedy.

The fire is one of the worst in Spain’s recent history and has drawn comparisons to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London, which killed 72 people and exposed serious safety issues in high-rise buildings.