Valencia, Spain – A devastating fire has claimed the lives of at least four individuals in a high-rise residential building in the city of Valencia, emergency services have reported. The fire, which broke out in the Campanar neighborhood, quickly spread to an adjacent building, leaving a 14-story block charred and nearly unrecognizable. Firefighters worked tirelessly to rescue people from their balconies, but as of now, nineteen individuals remain unaccounted for.

The blaze, fueled by strong winds, raised concerns about the flammability of the building’s cladding, which may have facilitated the rapid spread of the fire. The fire also left at least 14 people, including six firefighters and a young child, injured. More than 20 fire crews were on the scene, and the block has been declared off-limits as it was reduced to a charred shell.

According to El Pais, the building housed 138 flats and was home to 450 residents, and local reports revealed dramatic rescues of residents using cranes and attempts to save individuals trapped on different floors of the building. Questions have quickly arisen about the building’s construction materials, with an engineer highlighting that the exterior cladding may have contributed to the fire’s swift progress.

Following the devastating incident, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his dismay and solidarity with those affected, thanking all emergency personnel involved in the ongoing operations. Authorities have set up a field hospital in the area, and plans are in place to accommodate displaced residents in nearby hotels. As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, concerns about building materials and safety standards persist, prompting broader discussions about fire prevention in high-rise buildings.