They will no doubt remember it for a long time. This Christmas Eve turned out to be unusual for the residents of the twenty-eight apartments in the building located at 24 rue Jules-Romains in Saint-Avertin.
“We said to ourselves that we had to go out”
A dramatic fire which left one victim – a person living in 4e floor found dead in her apartment ravaged by fire – broke out early in the evening.
Many residents were preparing to celebrate Christmas. This is the case of Nathanaël, a tenant of 6e floor which received a large part of his family this Tuesday, December 24, 2024. “We hadn’t even unwrapped the presentsexplains Patricia, Nathanaël’s mother. We smelled a burning smell. I went out onto the balcony and caught the smoke in my face. We said to ourselves that we had to get out of the building. »
Rushed out of their building, the residents surprised in the middle of New Year's Eve were in shock.
© (Photo NR, Caroline Devos)
They then knocked on apartment doors to warn their neighbors. A gesture which surely avoided a heavier toll.
Valérie and her two children, who live at 3e floor, had started their Christmas evening. “We heard screams, people saying there was fireexplains Valérie. We took our coats and our dogs and went out. We didn't have time to eat. »
Drinks, food and a hotel
As they descended the stairs, the family encountered firefighters rushing to the ongoing fire on 4e floor.
Élise hadn't noticed anything until she decided to go walk her dog. But once outside, she quickly understood the situation. After remaining outside on the sidewalk, facing their building, observing the firefighters who were clearing away the remains of the charred apartment on number 4e floor, many tenants found refuge in the Grands Champs gymnasium opened by the municipality for them.
“We are going to bring water, hot drinks, some foodindicated Anseric Léon, the first deputy mayor of Saint-Avertin. We will find a hotel room for those who do not have alternative accommodation. »
