Fire traps residents in two high-rise buildings in Valencia, Spain, killing at least 4, officials say

A fire engulfed two residential buildings in the eastern Spanish city of Valencia on Thursday, killing at least 4 people, officials said.

Firefighters rushed to the scene in the city center where flames could be seen bursting from windows of the 14-story residential building where the blaze apparently started. Residents could be seen trapped on balconies waiting for rescue.

The fire began in the early evening and spread to an adjacent building, state news agency Efe reported. Initial emergency service reports said there were at least 13 people injured with fractures, burns and smoke inhalation. The 13 included six firefighters.

It was not immediately clear how many people were in the buildings or how many were rescued.

Regional emergency officials earlier Thursday said that three firefighters were among those hospitalized, including two for burns and smoke inhalation.

Two men and one woman were also hospitalized for smoke inhalation, officials said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez posted a tweet on the X platform saying he was “shocked by the terrible fire in a building in Valencia,” adding that he had offered the city “all the help that is necessary.”

“I want to convey my solidarity to all the people affected and recognition to all the emergency personnel already deployed at the scene,” Sánchez said.