A devastating fire, now suspected to be arson, erupted in a seven-story residential building in the Moulins neighborhood of Nice, France, in the early hours of July 18, 2024, claiming seven lives, including three children aged 5, 7, and 10, and a teenager. The blaze, which began around 2:30 am on the second floor and rapidly spread to the top floor, prompted a massive emergency response involving 72 firefighters and 25 vehicles.Firefighters faced a ‘violent apartment fire’ and conducted three aerial rescues, evacuating 33 people from the building. Despite their efforts, seven people perished in the inferno, with one person in critical condition and two others hospitalized in serious condition. In a desperate attempt to escape, one individual jumped from a window, resulting in a fatality.The local prosecutor, Damien Martinelli, has opened a criminal investigation, prioritizing the possibility of arson. Witnesses reported seeing three people fleeing the scene, and surveillance footage is being reviewed to identify potential suspects. In a shocking development, Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, has accused drug traffickers of being responsible, stating, ‘there were people in masks who, around 3am, were spreading gasoline in the stairwell, which caught fire and spread to the seventh floor apartment.’ The tragedy has deeply affected the community of Nice. The city has established a crisis unit to support affected families, while French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin commended the swift action of rescue teams in preventing further casualties. As investigations continue, authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the fire and provide support to those impacted by this heartbreaking incident.
Key points
- A suspected arson attack in Nice, France, resulted in seven deaths, including three children and a teenager.
- Witnesses reported seeing three people fleeing the scene, and the mayor has accused drug traffickers of starting the fire.
- The local prosecutor has opened a criminal investigation into the incident.
- The city of Nice has established a crisis unit to support affected families.
Contradictions👾There are conflicting reports about where the fire started.
Some sources state it began on the second floor, while others report it started on the seventh floor.
👾The exact number of people rescued varies between reports, with some stating 33 and others 35.
