A fire is still raging in a 14-story apartment complex in Valencia, Spain, about four hours after it broke out.

The fire broke out around 17:30 (local time, 18:30 Greek time) on the 4th floor of the building complex and spread with incredible speed. “As if it was made of straw,” said an eyewitness on Spanish television. “The strong wind was the main factor that spread the fire,” said the owner of a neighboring flower shop.

Thanks to the timely intervention of the firefighters, several tenants were freed. According to state television (TVE), at least 13 injured – including firefighters – were taken to hospital with burns or breathing problems. However, there are no reports of casualties so far.

Mayor María José Catala appealed to residents to stay away from the area to facilitate the work of firefighters and rescuers.

“Shocked” by the horrific fire in Valencia, said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. In a post on the X platform (formerly Twitter), he assured the local authorities that they will have the full support of the Spanish government, while he expressed his solidarity with those affected.

In early October, 13 people died in a fire that broke out in a nightclub in Murcia, southeastern Spain.