At least four people have died after a large fire engulfed two residential buildings in Valencia in eastern Spain – with people seen trapped on balconies waiting to be rescued.

Officials say 19 other people are missing and at least 13 people, including six firefighters, have suffered burns, fractures and smoke inhalation.

Valencia’s assistant emergency services director, Jorge Suarez, told reporters that hours after the blaze started, firefighters were still trying to cool down the outside of the building before attempting to go inside.

The blaze started early on Thursday evening and spread from a block of flats to a smaller building next door, said Spanish news agency EFE.

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Pic: AP

Firefighters rescue two people trapped on a balcony. Pic: AP
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Firefighters rescue two people from a balcony. Pic: AP

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Thick black smoke poured from the buildings and some residents had to be rescued from their balconies with the flames perilously close.

Spain‘s weather agency said there were 40mph (64kph) winds at the time – which may have helped the fire spread more quickly.

It’s currently unclear how the blaze started.

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Pic: Reuters
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Pic: Reuters

Pic: Reuters
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Pic: Reuters

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was “shocked by the terrible fire” and promised the city would get “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,” Mr Sanchez posted on X.