People injured and residents flee to balconies as fire engulfs apartment buildings in Spanish city of Valencia
22.02.2024 - 22:23
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A fire has engulfed two residential buildings in the eastern Spanish city of Valencia, injuring at least 13 people and sending fleeing residents onto balconies to be rescued.
Firefighters raced to the scene in the city centre where flames could be seen bursting from the windows of the 14-storey residential building where the blaze had apparently first started.
Residents could be seen waiting to be saved from their balconies; with firefighters using cranes amid the major rescue mission. Soldiers from Spain’s Military Emergency Unit were also deployed and medics set up a large tent to tend to the injured on the scene.
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The fire sent clouds of black smoke billowing skywards as Spain’s weather agency, Aemet, reported winds of up to 40mph at the time. Dramatic pictures from the scene show roaring flames tearing through the apartment blocks.
The fire began in the early evening on Thursday (February 22) and spread to an adjacent building, state news agency Efe reported.
Initial emergency service reports said there were at least 13 people injured with fractures, burns and smoke inhalation. The 13 included six firefighters.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez posted on X saying he was “shocked by the terrible fire in a building in Valencia” adding that he had offered the city “all the help that is necessary”.
“I want to convey my solidarity to all the people affected and recognition to all the emergency personnel already deployed at the scene,” Mr Sanchez said.
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