A spectacular fire broke out late Thursday in a fourteen-story residential building in the Spanish port city of Valencia, leaving seven injured so far, according to authorities.
In a message published on the social network
Three firefighters, two of whom had burned hands, were among those injured.
Television images show flames devouring the building, from which thick black smoke escapes.
No apartment seems spared by these flames.
According to emergency services, the fire broke out on the fourth floor of the building before spreading to the others.
This building is located in the El Campanar district of Spain's third city.
Field hospital
Twenty-two teams of firefighters were sent to the site to try to put out the flames, rescuers said on X. Eight medical units were also on the scene of the disaster where a field hospital will be set up.
The strong wind blowing Thursday in Valencia made the work of firefighters more difficult, according to the authorities.
Questioned by public television, the owner of a flower shop located near the building assured that this building had been built at most 14 years ago and that its hundred apartments were currently occupied.
“The wind was the main factor that spread”
the fire, she added, describing scenes of
“chaos”
.
Another resident explained on the same television that the building had caught fire at an incredible speed:
"it's as if it was made of straw"
, he said, indicating that the fire had started around 5:30 p.m.
“We ask residents of other areas of the city not to approach the fire to facilitate the work of the mobilized rescue teams
,” wrote the mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, on X.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was
“dismayed by the terrible fire in a building in Valencia”
, on X.
The socialist leader said he had offered local authorities
“all the necessary help”
from the central state and conveyed his
“solidarity to all those affected”
.
The country was recently marked by a dramatic fire which left 13 dead in early October in a nightclub in Murcia.