Lhe emotion was palpable this Tuesday, November 26 in La Rochelle, the day after the major fire that occurred in a building located in the city center, rue de Cordouan. Around forty firefighters, armed with hoses and a large ladder, intervened the day before around 7 p.m. at number 12 of the street for an explosion followed by a fire, in a three-story building at the bottom of which is located a laundry room on the ground floor. The fire was brought under control around 10 p.m. A 63-year-old woman, residing in an apartment on the third floor, was evacuated in cardiorespiratory arrest and unfortunately died from her injuries.
“We thought it was going to catch fire everywhere. We were scared, we were asphyxiated…”
“We heard a big explosion”
Nearby business owners and neighbors are in shock. Among them, in particular, Julie Béchet, whose chocolate-pastry shop is located just opposite the building. She witnessed the scene: “We heard a big explosion. I went out and saw that the glass front of the laundromat had fallen down. I entered my store then I noticed the smoke before seeing huge flames,” says the La Rochelle trader. “Everything happened very quickly, we thought it was going to catch fire everywhere. We were scared, we were asphyxiated and we didn't know where the people were in the building. A woman has died, it's very sad. In the aftermath of this tragedy, we cannot feel good. »
Living in an apartment right next to the building, Menelik was scared and didn't sleep all night. “The explosion was very powerful. We went out with two or three things and the firefighters arrived within twelve minutes. I heard the woman on the third floor, she was screaming: 'I'm here, I'm here, help me'. It was impossible to access the place without having a mask and protection. » Firefighters did everything possible at the scene. “When we arrived, the explosion had just occurred and the fire had broken through the roof. We then discovered the deceased person on the third floor,” explained La Rochelle fire brigade captain Pascal Cousseau, around 1 p.m. this Tuesday.
Impossibility of access to housing
Firefighters were then able to carry out extinctions. “The most affected part is the roof on the side opposite Rue du Cordouan. We also have damage on all levels of the building due to smoke. » The captain confirms that everything was destroyed from the first to the third floor. “The existing communications have all been destroyed, it is impossible to access the accommodation. It will require reconstruction. »
This Tuesday evening, the public prosecutor Arnaud Laraize affirmed that he was still awaiting the expert's first conclusions. He adds that the explosion which caused the fire to start would have taken place on the third floor. Furthermore and still according to the prosecution, the accidental track would be favored. Around ten residents were rehoused by the town hall.
