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Monday May 06, 2024

3 dead after fire erupts in French Riviera city building

The fire affected the top three floors of the building whose facade was partially blackened by the flames

By Web Desk
August 13, 2023
Firefighters are at work at the place where a fire erupted at a holiday home for disabled people in Wintzenheim, eastern France, on August 9, 2023. — AFP
Firefighters are at work at the place where a fire erupted at a holiday home for disabled people in Wintzenheim, eastern France, on August 9, 2023. — AFP

At least three people were burned to death and three others sustained critical injuries after a blaze started Sunday in a historic center located in the French Riviera city of Grasse, authorities said, without revealing the cause of the fire. 

According to the firefighters, the blaze was contained and was extinguished.

"The condition of the victims can always change," Aymeric Soufflet from the firefighting service told AFP.

It remains unclear what caused the fire in Grasse's building.

The fire only affected the top three floors of the building whose facade was partially blackened by the flames.

Local residents reported the eruption of the fire to the authorities at around 3:00am (0100 GMT). Officials rushed to the scene and found the body of a person who had jumped out in front of the edifice and two other corpses inside.

"An alarm started beeping and then I heard cries," said Martine, a woman who lives in an adjoining building and who only gave one name.

"A woman cried out for help shouting 'Fire!' and asked me to call the fire service, which is what I did. A man from the floor above tried to come down to avoid the flames but he fell," she added.

Grasse is considered the world's perfume capital.

Earlier Wednesday, at least 9 bodies were found and two more were feared to be dead after a fire destroyed a cottage — home to disabled children — in Wintzenheim town of eastern France with nearly 76 firefighters on the ground trying to extinguish the inferno.

Emergency services received reports of the fire at 06:30 local time which is reported to be ignited in a property that was being used to help young people with disabilities, in the town close to the German border.

Reports suggest that 17 people were evacuated after the fire broke out at the disabled children's centre with one transported to the hospital.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin earlier said, while confirming the incident that it was likely there are several casualties from the fire.

"Four fire engines were sent to tackle the blaze, who quickly brought it under control despite the strength of the fire," local government Haut-Rhin said in a statement.