Muthomi Ireri
Early Thursday morning, a tragic apartment building fire in the southern French city of Nice claimed the lives of seven people, including three children aged 5, 7, and 10, and a 17-year-old who attempted to escape by jumping from a window. The apartment was occupied by a family believed to be of Comoran origins, according to regional prefect Hugues Moutouh.
The fire broke out around 2:30 am in the Les Moulins neighborhood, known for its low-income status and drug activity. Despite the swift response of firefighters, seven residents perished in the blaze, with four police officers requiring psychological support due to the harrowing scene.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin acknowledged that the firefighters’ prompt arrival likely prevented further casualties. Both Darmanin and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal were scheduled to visit the site later in the day. Nice prosecutor Damien Martinelli indicated that authorities were treating the fire as a potential arson case resulting in fatalities.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed three individuals in balaclavas near the scene, prompting Deputy Mayor Anthony Borre to condemn the act as barbaric and call for a robust response from law enforcement once the investigation concludes.
President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with Nice, offering condolences to the families affected by the tragedy. The fire is believed to have originated on the second floor before spreading via the staircase to higher levels, complicating rescue efforts. Firefighters conducted aerial ladder rescues and evacuated numerous residents amidst challenging conditions.
Residents recounted moments of panic and desperate attempts to escape as flames engulfed the building’s interior. A temporary shelter was set up for the 20 people displaced by the fire, with Mayor Christian Estrosi pledging support through a dedicated crisis response unit.
The incident has deeply shaken the community, highlighting the urgent need for support and investigation into the cause of the deadly blaze.
Dj Vnyash
Silverio Omari
