An appliance in the kitchen, the cause of the flames
After several investigations, it has been clarified what caused the terrible fire that razed a 14-story building in the Campanar neighborhood of Valencia on February 22. According to the representative of the Spanish government in the Valencian Country, Pilar Bernabé, the fire was caused by a faulty appliance in the kitchen of one of the homes, specifically number 86. This hypothesis rules out the one initially given, which pointed to a short circuit in the awning of a balcony as an ignition source.
The fire was of great magnitude and affected 138 homes where 450 people lived. The images of the fire were impressive because of its intensity and its spread. Firefighters acted quickly and managed to evacuate and rescue many residents, but unfortunately ten people died and fifteen were seriously injured.
The judge files the open case for the fire
On the other hand, the court of inquiry number 9 of Valencia has decided to provisionally close the case opened by the fire, after the police have determined that there are no signs of criminality or crime in the origin of the flames. The judge has considered that there is no reason to continue investigating and has dismissed the case.
At the same time, the judge has also allowed the insurance companies to access the homes affected by the fire, under the supervision of the police. There they will be able to make the necessary assessments to compensate the victims, an action that does not interfere with the police investigations, which have already ended with the conclusion that the fire was accidental.
