Thank You for your concerns. We are doing well and amazed by the response of the Valencia community. The Valencia City Council announced today that they are setting up 130 apartment for those displaced by the fire. These apartments will be fully furnished including food in the refrigerators. In the meantime, local hotels are providing free lodging for all of those impacted by the fire. Clothing is being provided by three different stores here in Valencia and all health care services including medications are being provided for free. Local veterinarians are providing free lodging for pets while the families get settled. A request went out asking the public to not bring any more donations because they are overwhelmed with the volume of stuff they have received since in the last three days. This is amazing community.
With the U.S. as our reference, we agree that not requiring smoke detectors is unimaginable. However, only about one-half of the EU countries have significant requirements for smoke detectors. Only Austria, Germany, Ireland and the UK have similar requirements as the U.S. and ten European countries require just one smoke detector per residence (Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden). So, while it’s hard to process, Spain is not an outlier on this front.
Some are claiming “shoddy” construction as a possible cause, the least of which is using polyurethane insulation underneath aluminum cladding. The same situation occurred in a horrible fire in the UK in 2017 that resulted in 72 fatalities. So, once again, this is not something unique to Spain. There are several other construction/building system factors that are probably factors. I’ll leave any commentary on construction methods to Ed.
As for our own safety, we have ordered smoke detectors, a fire blanket, fire extinguisher, and a fire escape rope ladder for our apartment. We are on the 3rd floor of a building that is concrete and stone (no flammable cladding). We appreciate your concern and promise to stay safe. Actually, we’re buying a portable smoke detector that we will take with us on our month-long trip to Italy beginning in March.
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Glad to hear you got the smoke detectors and other gear.
DITTO, MARK!!! Most Italian structures are stone, but you are wise to consider the portable smoke detector if it doesn’t take up a lot of room. The residue smoke must be Strong. Are you wearing masks? Probably a Good Thing to be in Italy and Greece for the next months! Today is a totally sprint/summer one and have been out pruning our roses. Lots of neighbors out and about!
In separate email, sent you Nayan’s latest delightful memory of the Roman Banquet! Fun and funny, esp the teacher! Viva! Jo
DITTO, MARK!!! Most Italian structures are stone, but you are wise to consider the portable smoke detector if it doesn’t take up a lot of room. The residue smoke must be Strong. Are you wearing masks? Probably a Good Thing to be in Italy and Greece for the next months! Today is a totally sprint/summer one and have been out pruning our roses. Lots of neighbors out and about!
In separate email, sent you Nayan’s latest delightful memory of the Roman Banquet! Fun and funny, esp the teacher! Viva! Jo