News / France

France hunts arson suspect after deadly fire in Nice kills 7

Thursday, 18 July 2024 6:36 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 18 July 2024 6:36 PM ]

Firefighters extinguish a blaze that broke out overnight at a residential building in Nice, France, on July 18, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal says police are currently searching for three suspects involved in arson after a fire in an apartment building claimed the lives of seven people in the southern city of Nice.

The upper levels of a residential building in the Moulins district were consumed by fire on Thursday.

Four minors were among the dead, with ages ranging from 5 to 17, Attal said. He said one of the victims, a 17-year-old, attempted to flee by leaping from a window.

“What happened here, this fire, is absolutely awful and revolting,” Attal told reporters at the scene, adding that “the investigation is ongoing, three individuals are being sought.”

The mayor of Nice said there were images available which clearly showed the fire was started by individuals wearing hoods who poured petrol into a stairwell during the night. He visited the location afterwards.

The fire originated on the second floor and rapidly extended to the floors above.

The prosecutor of Nice, Damien Martinelli, informed the press that based on preliminary investigations, “I have initiated a probe into potential arson as the reason for the fatalities.”

The residence is situated in the economically weak area of Les Moulins, recognized as a center for drug trafficking, in the western part of the city.

Local sources said the seven individuals who lost their lives were all members of a single family. Authorities confirmed that among the dead were three adults, one adolescent, and younger children aged five, seven, and 10.

It is reported that two family members attempted to flee through a window, one got killed while saving their life while the other is currently in critical condition.

Four police officers were receiving psychological support after being exposed to the distressing scene.

Upon arrival, the fleet of 25 fire engines and 72 firefighters were met with a severe apartment fire on the seventh floor of the building. They successfully conducted three aerial ladder rescues and safely evacuated numerous individuals.

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