Spain is in shock after a devastating fire engulfed a high-rise apartment block in Valencia, resulting in the deaths of four people and leaving up to 15 individuals missing. The fire started on Thursday evening on the fourth floor of the 14-storey building and quickly spread to an adjoining block due to strong winds. Firefighters have been working tirelessly to rescue residents, but their efforts have been hindered by the intense heat, limiting their access to only the first three floors. As drones scour the area for any signs of life, a family of four, including a three-year-old boy and a 15-day-old baby girl, are among those reported missing. This tragic incident has raised concerns about the construction of the building and whether the cladding used may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but experts have suggested that the cladding on the exterior of the building could have played a role in enabling the flames to spread so quickly. Cladding is commonly used in modern buildings to provide insulation and protect against weather conditions. However, behind these panels, there is usually an air space that can become highly flammable. Esther Puchades, vice president of the College of Industrial Technical Engineers of Valencia, revealed that she had previously inspected the building and noted that it featured a polyurethane material, which is no longer widely used due to concerns about its flammability. She explained that the ventilation gap between the cladding and the covering can create a “chimney effect,” allowing fires to spread rapidly. This issue of flammable cladding gained attention in the UK following the Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017, where 72 people lost their lives.
The specific type of cladding used in the Valencia buildings is still unclear, and some types are more flammable than others. A promotional video from 2007 by the building’s developer mentioned the use of an “innovative material” for the exterior cladding, which supposedly passed rigorous quality checks. The investigation into the fire will likely focus on whether this cladding played a significant role in the tragedy.
The high-rise apartment block is located in the affluent Campanar neighborhood, one of the most prestigious areas in Valencia. It is home to approximately 450 residents, according to Spanish newspaper El Pais. The building was constructed between 2008 and 2009 and consists of 138 apartments. The developer, Fbex, began construction in 2005 during the real estate bubble but filed for bankruptcy five years later.
The search for missing individuals is challenging due to the large number of flats in the building, many of which are occupied by foreign nationals. Pilar Bernabe, the government’s representative in Valencia, expressed the difficulty in pinpointing the exact location of these individuals. As rescue efforts continue and the community mourns the loss of life, questions surrounding the construction and safety standards of high-rise buildings are being raised once again.
This tragic fire serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper building regulations and materials in ensuring the safety of residents. The investigation into the cause of the fire and the role of cladding will be crucial in preventing similar incidents in the future. As Spain mourns the loss of lives in this devastating event, it is hoped that lessons will be learned and necessary measures taken to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.
