At least four killed as blaze engulfs apartment blocks in Spain

SPAIN: At least four people have died and up to 15 are missing after a massive fire ripped through two joined apartment blocks in the Spanish city of Valencia, emergency services say.

The blaze engulfed a 14-storey block in the Campanar neighbourhood and spread to an adjoining building.

Firefighters were seen rescuing people from balconies.

Experts say that highly flammable cladding on the building enabled the fire to spread rapidly.

The building contains 138 flats and was home to 450 residents, newspaper El Pais reported, citing the building’s manager.

Fifteen people, including six firefighters and a young child, have been injured although their lives are not in danger.

Valencia Mayor María José Catalá said authorities were still trying to locate between nine and 15 people, while the government’s regional representative said 14 people remained unaccounted for.

More than 20 fire crews tackled the blaze, which was made worse by high winds. By early Friday the block was a giant fire-blackened shell. People were urged to stay away from the area.