Ana Rosa Quintana, throughout an extensive professional career, has known how to guide the audience through countless live events. However, the recent fire in Valencia, which consumed two buildings in the blink of an eye, has been especially hard for her.
This Thursday, the TardeAR program experienced an atypical day, adapting its usual content to focus on the tragedy that is unfolding in Valencia. The fire, relentlessly, has left more than a hundred families with nothing in just a few hours, a situation that has led the presenter and her team to completely modify the afternoon programming.
"The anguish has been total," commented Ana Rosa, who reflected the desperation of those trapped by the flames, asking for help from the balconies of their homes. Thus, TardeAR's live coverage has lasted longer than usual - Chain Reaction has not been broadcast -, reporting on the latest events while firefighters fought against the clock to save lives.
One of the most emotional moments of the broadcast was when it was discovered that a father and his daughter were trapped on a balcony. Both were cornered by the fire waiting for the firefighters to arrive and get them out of there. Fortunately, the two were rescued before further damage was sustained.
Once the live rescue was completed, Ana Rosa could not completely break down: "The firefighter said he was going to save them and he saved them. It is one of the most exciting things I have experienced in my entire professional career; see to those two people trapped in the building and seeing how they were saved. I will never forget this."
The fire, of which the causes are still unknown, has left a total of 13 injured, six of them firefighters, due to burns, smoke inhalation and fractures during rescue efforts. "This indicates the intensity of the work they are doing," said Jorge Suárez, deputy director of emergencies for the Valencian Community.
