The two explosions that occurred this Tuesday evening in the 13th arrondissement were felt several dozen meters away. The images of the explosions, impressive, could have suggested the worst. Fortunately, it is not. This Wednesday morning, the various authorities reported an “unchanged” toll compared to the day before, underlines the Brigade of the Paris Fire Brigade (BSPP), namely two slightly injured, a firefighter and a worker.
After a night of surveillance, the operations were to be closed in the morning, the BSPP told us this Wednesday at the start of the day. In total, 106 firefighters and 26 machines were mobilized to put out the fire, the Paris police prefecture specified for its part. “No other major event occurred during the night,” the firefighters confirmed.
Two floors evacuated
The incident took place shortly after 4 p.m. in the Porte d’Ivry district. A fire broke out on the terrace of a “relatively low” building, according to the BSPP. The fire affected 400 m2 of the roof terrace. Standard waterproofing work was underway on the roof. For the needs of the construction site, six gas cylinders were stored on the roof and two exploded. “An investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances of the outbreak of the fire,” emphasizes Jérôme Coumet, the district mayor.
VideoParis: Explosions on the roof of a building in the 13th arrondissement during a fire
A perimeter was quickly deployed, “two floors were evacuated,” said the Paris police prefecture, as well as the neighboring school. The latter welcomed students normally this Wednesday morning, reassures Jérôme Coumet. “The blast from the explosion was violent, there is no major damage but windows that no longer open.” The day before, the schoolchildren were confined to a gymnasium while the premises were secured.
As for the residents of the building, who were also temporarily installed in a gymnasium with meal trays yesterday evening, “all returned to their homes very late in the night except for two families because of the leaks,” added the mayor.
Electricity was to be restored this Wednesday morning while a psychological unit was set up for residents and students from the nearby school. The two families who have not been able to return home for the moment are either in a hotel or staying with friends, we are told.
