A spectacular fire broke out this afternoon in a 19-story building in the Campanar neighborhood in Valencia. According to 112, the fire broke out on the fifth floor and quickly spread to more floors. The strong wind that blew in the city this Thursday has facilitated the spread of the flames that have reached an adjacent building. Firefighters are still trying to rescue neighbors from their balconies.
In fact, two young people who were waiting for help on balconies surrounded by flames were able to be rescued by firefighters from an elevated basket, after cooling the area with hoses while the adjacent floors burned.
The two people have remained on the balcony during this work following the instructions of the fire extinguishing personnel, who have finally achieved the rescue. After being safe, they have been able to be treated on the street by medical means, without apparently serious injuries.
To the scene of the events, at the intersection between Maestro Rodrigo Avenue and Poeta Rafael Alberti Street, in the Campanar neighborhood of València, 10 fire crews, four Samus and two Basic Life Support (BLS) units have been mobilized.
Likewise, the Police have cordoned off the area and cut off traffic while the large column of black smoke began to cover the sky of the capital of Turia.
Given the magnitude of the fire, 112 has reported on social networks that the installation of a Field Hospital is planned.
At the same time, the critical and burn units of the Valencia hospitals are coordinating for possible action after the fire, which is out of control.
Ariadna, the administrator of the property, who could not avoid tears, pointed out that the fire spread “super fast” and expressed her surprise because in the newly built building, there was no gas installation. She has indicated that no one lived at door 12, where the fire supposedly started.
The affected homes would be around 143, with more than 350 neighbors. These are two buildings but a single block, with two “wings”, one with 15 floors (the first one that was burned) and the other with 8.
A neighbor who lives on the property next door explained to La Vanguardia that the building “came on fire in no time, in 15 minutes.” They say that “there were people screaming, desperate people who couldn’t find their children and even one person who had fainted.” She narrates how explosions were heard and rubble fell.
Vicente, one of the neighbors who has been evicted, explained the situation of confusion and despair of the tenants “lying on the floor and crying.” “All the floors are charred,” he explains to La Vanguardia.
(Information in development)
