What we know about the fire in an underground car park in La Ciotat

We know more about the fire which broke out on Tuesday evening around 10 p.m. in the underground car park of the “Côté Port” residence, located on avenue Sandral in La Ciotat. The flames quickly mobilized significant emergency resources. The municipal and national police as well as the firefighters intervened immediately on the scene.

Firefighters from the La Ciotat Ceyreste fire and rescue center quickly mobilized significant resources for a long-term intervention, involving 50 people and 20 vehicles, with the help of Enedis and police forces.

TWO BUILDINGS AND 57 PEOPLE EVACUATED

A fire in a basement caused significant smoke releases, requiring the evacuation of 57 residents, who were then housed in a community hall. Among them, an 88-year-old person, bothered by the smoke, was treated by a firefighter doctor.

The device “Sinus” (sstandardized digital information system) with identification bracelets, has been put in place for these people. The long-term operating group “Money” and the respiratory assistance cell were also called in to help manage the air consumption of the teams working in the basement.

Faced with the urgency of the situation, the city immediately set up a reception system for the victims. Thirty-five of them found refuge in the Municipal Council room, where beds, blankets, food and hot drinks were made available. Six other people, more fragile, were relocated to a hotel located nearby.

Yesterday morning, emergency services were still on site to assess the situation. Water and electricity having been cut off in the affected buildings, some of the residents were able to return to their homes.

During the day on Wednesday, checks continued to allow other victims to return home in the best possible safety conditions.

An investigation is underway to determine the origin of this fire, the scale of which caused significant material damage, but without causing serious casualties.