At least 10 killed after fire guts Spanish apartment block

AFP | Valencia                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Fire crews yesterday picked through a still-smouldering 14-storey apartment block in Valencia, eastern Spain, a day after a blaze ripped through the building killing at least 10 people.

Experts said the building was covered with highly flammable cladding, which could account for the rapid spread of the blaze after it broke out on the fourth floor at around 5:30 pm (1630 GMT) Thursday.

Investigators have still to determine the cause of the fire. Film footage showed clouds of black smoke as the flames consumed the high rise of 138 flats in the Campanar district of the Mediterranean port city.

Yesterday afternoon, officials updated the death toll, which had previously stood at four. “We can confirm that following a first inspection, forensic police have found 10 fatalities,” said regional administrator Pilar Bernabe.

It was still not clear if other people were missing, but local officials have not ruled out the death toll rising.

Another 15 people were treated for injuries of varying degrees, including a seven-yearold child and seven firefighters, but their lives were not in danger.