Three people poisoned after fire in apartment building

Three people were slightly intoxicated by smoke coming from a residential building where a fire broke out on Saturday, July 20 in the center of Paris, firefighters reported. The fire broke out in a six-story residential building around 1:50 p.m. in the Sentier district, known for its textile wholesalers, AFP noted. Thick black smoke was visible above the zinc roofs, coming from the top floor of the building, before the flames were brought under control by the many firefighters dispatched to the scene (20 engines, 85 firefighters from Paris as well as personnel from the greater suburbs mobilized).

The area was quickly sealed off by police and the surrounding streets were evacuated. “The very violent fire spread to the entire building”reported Colonel Roland Perfetta, commander of the rescue operations, on the spot. “We had to very quickly carry out a rescue using aerial ladders and (…) get two people out through the [escaliers].” According to him, the fire spread from the ground floor to the roof. By mid-afternoon, the situation had returned to normal. “favorable”the fire being “limited”. “The operations will however be of very long duration with a surveillance system to be put in place this evening and tomorrow”Sunday, he said again.