PARIS — A tragic fire occurred at a retirement home near Paris on Saturday, resulting in the loss of three lives, as confirmed by the local mayor. The victims were elderly residents, aged 68, 85, and 96, who succumbed to smoke inhalation, as reported by the Val-d’Oise prefecture.
Additionally, the blaze left nine individuals injured, including seven residents and two staff members who also suffered from smoke inhalation. Eight of the injured were quickly transported to various hospitals throughout the Paris area for treatment.
Mayor Michel Lacoux expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating, “This is a serious event for our town,” during an interview with BFM TV. He emphasized that the fire appears to have been accidental in nature. Mayor Lacoux also mentioned that the fire was brought under control after initially breaking out in a laundry room and subsequently spreading to part of the third floor of the facility.
In response to the emergency, Commandant Adrien Ponin-Sinapayen, a representative for France’s civil defense agency, indicated that fire crews worked diligently to extinguish the flames, with approximately 140 firefighters mobilized to the scene.
