In the early evening, Monday November 25, 2024, a laundromat in the historic center of La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime) exploded. A fire then broke out in the building where the business was located, says France Blue La Rochelle . Part of the building then collapsed, causing the death of a 63-year-old woman.
The victim was discovered by emergency services on the third floor of the building “in cardiovascular arrest”specified to France 3 New Aquitaine Pierre-Louis Sire, secretary general of the Charente-Maritime prefecture. “I had just come home from work and I heard a big boom, a big explosion. It's like a bomb exploded.”testified one man.
Residents evacuated and relocated
The other inhabitants managed to escape, complete South West . Traffic on the street was prohibited. La Rochelle town hall relocated seven residents of neighboring buildings, according to France 3. Nine others were evacuated and taken in by third parties.
The origin of the explosion could not immediately be determined. According to local residents, the laundromat had been closed for some time. Several avenues will be investigated by firefighters.
France
