Apartment building in Spain engulfed in flames, many casualties

Local television footage showed the building ablaze, with debris falling to the pavement and small explosions heard inside. Many residents of the apartment building ran onto their balconies to wait for firefighters to rescue them with cranes.

About 90 soldiers from the Spanish Military Emergency Unit and 40 fire engines were also dispatched to the scene.

Fire engulfs an apartment building in Valencia, Spain, February 22. (Photo: Reuters)

Valencia Mayor Maria Jose Catala confirmed that four people were killed. At least 15 people were injured, most suffering from burns, fractures or smoke inhalation. Among them were six firefighters.

It is not clear how many people were in the building at the time of the incident. According to Reuters , at least 14 people are still missing.

The scene of an apartment fire in Valencia, Spain, February 22. (Photo: Reuters)

Catala said there was a risk of the 14-storey building collapsing and the intense heat from the fire made it difficult for rescue workers to reach the area to find possible survivors. Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and cool the outside of the building before entering.

The apartment building was left with almost only the frame after the fire. (Photo: Time)

Initial information showed that the fire started on the fourth floor of the building and spread to other apartments. Witnesses said strong winds caused the fire to spread rapidly and engulfed the entire building in just half an hour.

There is speculation that the fire may have been caused by the materials used in the structure of the building, which was built 15 years ago, and winds of up to 60 km/h at the time. However, Valencia Mayor Maria Jose Catala said it was too early to say for sure.

Hoa Vu (Source: Reuters, Time)

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