A day after a devastating fire tore through a high-rise residential complex in Valencia, Spain, at least four people have been confirmed dead, and 14 others are missing. There are concerns that these numbers could increase due to the high temperatures inside the burnt structure, hindering search efforts by emergency workers.
The fire broke out on Thursday, engulfing the entire pair of buildings within half an hour. The complex, consisting of two tower blocks with a total of 138 apartments, was constructed during Spain’s construction boom in the mid-2000s, according to Luis Sendra, the dean of the Official College of Architects of the Community of Valencia.
Firefighters are unable to conduct a thorough search until the structures cool down. Mr. Sendra mentioned that the materials used in the buildings’ cladding need to be determined, as gaps between the layers could have facilitated the spread of flames.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, but Mr. Sendra suggested similarities with the Grenfell Tower fire in London, which claimed 72 lives in 2017 due to the use of flammable cladding materials.
Carlos Mazón, the president of the Valencia regional government, announced a three-day period of mourning and confirmed that seven firefighters were injured in the blaze. Dramatic footage showed the heroic efforts of firefighters and residents’ harrowing escapes from the burning building.
The local government has set up relief points to provide support to surviving residents and family members of missing individuals. Taxi drivers have also offered free transportation to fleeing residents to temporary shelters.
2024-02-23 06:34:32
Original from www.nytimes.com