A day after a fire roared through a high-rise residential complex in the Spanish city of Valencia, killing at least four people and leaving at least 14 missing, there were fears on Friday that those numbers could rise, because high temperatures inside the charred structure have prevented emergency workers from searching inside.
Firefighters and police officers rushed to the scene shortly after 5.30 p.m. on Thursday as the fire engulfed the entire pair of buildings, one of which was 14 stories tall, within half an hour.
At least 14 people have been reported missing.
Speaking at a news conference on Friday morning, Carlos Mazón, the president of the regional government, announced a three-day period of mourning. He also praised the work of the first responders, noting that seven of those injured in the blaze were firefighters.
Valencia’s municipal government said in a statement that a relief point had been set up in a nearby building to offer practical and psychological support to surviving residents. Another meeting point was offering information and support for family members of missing people, it said.
