what is going on in this residence?

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Followers of sayings will say “never two without three”. And those who are wary of the obvious “there is never smoke without fire”. The repetition of facts, in any case, raises questions. Since the beginning of the year, a residence in Mende (Lozere) knew three fires. The last one dates from the night of November 6 to 7, 2024…

As before, major resources were deployed in the middle of the night at 27 avenue Foch to limit the disaster born in the Saint-Jean residence. A large building, just next to the Bête roundabout, at the western entrance to the Lozère prefecture.

From the hall, the mailbox…

Once again, dozens of people were evacuated. The fire started from an apartment which was destroyed. Unlike previous fires, which started in common areas. The first, in January 2024, was born from a mattress in the hall, the second on October 21, 2024, it was at the mailbox level.

Police extract unconscious person from apartment

In addition to material damage, there were human consequences. The police extracted an unconscious person from an apartment, the police said. Occitanie News. A middle-aged man “paralleled by fear”, who then regained his senses and was taken to hospital. Another person was also transported by firefighters to the Mende hospital center.

Et four police officers had to go to the emergency room after inhaling fumes. They were placed on a ventilator. Already in October, a police officer had been taken care of by emergency services. The police were once again the first on site.

Auditions in progress

Three fires in such a short time, of course, that raises questions. The Mende police are working hard on this file. “The judicial aspect is moving forward,” underlines Commander Nadège Thouard. Occitanie News, without further details. But if hearings of residents and witnesses have already been carried out, others are in progress or to come.

“We have made observations, surveys by the technical and scientific police have been carried out and we are waiting for analysis feedback. This can take several weeks,” explains the commander.

A meeting to better ensure security

Coincidentally with the calendar, a technical meeting on this issue had been scheduled since the second fire for November 8. A meeting with the security referent of the Departmental Directorate of the National Police “in order to study the locations and formulate safety and security recommendations under situational prevention”.

It must be said that local residents are increasingly worried.

“There is a feeling of insecurity among these residents, they want to be able to sleep.”

A barracks converted into housing

The building in question is a former barracks (a street nearby is still called Chemin des Casernes) rehabilitated into a building with student accommodation. After Covid, the number of vacant homes increased and the town hall was forced to open it more. From, the population is very “mixed”. In particular with people in precarious situations or awaiting regularization.

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