The fire started late in the afternoon on the fourth floor of the apartment block and spread quickly. According to TVE television, there were 138 apartments in the building, which was completely engulfed in flames within a short period of time. 22 firefighting teams were deployed. Footage shared online showed firefighters rescuing a father and his daughter from a balcony.
A representative of the local engineering chamber told broadcaster A Punt that the fire was able to spread so quickly because the facade was covered with highly flammable polyurethane. Local resident Luis Ibanez told TVE that the building was ablaze “within minutes,” “as if it were made of straw.” Strong winds fanned the fire.
The extinguishing work continued on Friday night. According to media reports, the four fatalities were discovered with the help of drones; the firefighting teams were initially unable to enter the building.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reacted with shock to the “terrible fire”. He promised the local authorities “all necessary support,” he said on the online service X, formerly Twitter.
The case brings back memories of the tragedy at London’s Grenfell Tower in 2017. 72 people were killed when the 24-story apartment building burned. In this case, too, the fire spread through the highly combustible facade cladding. The investigation into the case is still ongoing.
