PARIS: A devastating fire engulfed a residential building in the heart of Grasse, a renowned city on the French Riviera, claiming the lives of three individuals and leaving several others seriously injured. The early morning blaze sent shockwaves through the historic center of Grasse, famous as the world’s perfume capital, where firefighters responded swiftly to battle the inferno.
According to reports from local authorities, the fire broke out on the top three floors of the five-story building, situated in a bustling square in the old town. The flames quickly spread, partially blackening the building’s facade. Three individuals tragically lost their lives, while three others sustained serious injuries, and four suffered lighter wounds in the chaotic incident.
As rescue efforts unfolded, the top priority was to address the well-being of the injured individuals, with Aymeric Soufflet from the firefighting service highlighting that the condition of the victims remains subject to change.
Investigation into Grasse Building Fire Incident
Details about the fire’s origin remained unclear, prompting an ongoing investigation to ascertain the cause. The building primarily endured damage to its stairwell, with flats primarily affected by smoke infiltration. Firefighters, alerted by local residents around 3:00 am (0100 GMT), encountered the lifeless body of a person who had leaped in front of the building, along with two other fatalities within.
Witnesses recounted the harrowing moments of the incident. Martine, a resident of an adjoining building, described how the situation unfolded: “An alarm started beeping and then I heard cries. 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.”
Mayor Jerome Viaud assured the public that the building was not structurally compromised but revealed that renovation work for the facade and communal areas was scheduled for October. Mayor Viaud refrained from drawing conclusions about the fire’s cause, emphasizing that investigations are underway to determine whether it was a criminal act or a tragic accident.
