Overview
- The blaze started early Tuesday morning around 6:50 on the fifth and top floor of a residential block in Saint-Denis–Pierrefitte and was brought under control after about twenty fire engines and roughly 100 firefighters responded.
- A 13-year-old boy died and his 7-year-old brother was hospitalized with life‑threatening burns, while their mother and a six‑month‑old child received medical care and the father remained in shock.
- Two apartments at the top level were burned and other units were damaged, prompting the full evacuation of the block and activation of rehousing and a psychological support unit for affected families.
- No cause has been established and investigators from the local police unit have been seized of an inquiry that the prosecutor said will determine whether the fire was accidental or intentional.
- The mayor said the building has had previous fires and has asked the social landlord Pierres et Lumières to explain what safety measures were in place as authorities secure the site and rehouse displaced residents.