four people injured and 30 homes evacuated

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And impressive fire took place at the end of the morning this Monday, December 2, 2024 in a social building in the Maison Rouge district, in Louviers (Eure). It was 11:47 a.m. when the Eure firefighters were warned of this fire which broke out in a 3rd floor apartment of the building managed by MonLogement27 and named 'Hortensia'.

Two people were seriously injured. It is abouta mother and her son who lived in the apartment from which the flames erupted.

A woman fell from the 3rd floor

During the rescue of the two victims using an articulated arm, the son was able to be evacuated but the mother fell from the 3rd floor, crashing heavily onto the asphalt below. She was immediately taken care of by the emergency services and transferred in a state ofabsolute emergency at the university hospital center (CHU) of Rouen (Seine-Maritime). His sonfor his part, was poisoned by fumes of the fire and taken to the Feugrais hospital center in Saint-Aubin-lès-Elbeuf.

Another person – “mildly intoxicated”according to the firefighters – was transferred to Louviers hospital. Finally, a resident felt unwell at the Maison des sports et des associations Thomas Pesquet, in which the evacuees were grouped together.

30 homes evacuated for safety

The flames heavily damaged the facade of the building and nearby apartments. What makes to fear to the firefighters that the structure of the building is damaged. Reason why the 30 homes in the building were evacuatedfor safety.

Residents cannot return there, either to collect belongings or to check the health of their animals, who sometimes remain there. That night, they are rehoused with relatives or in a hotel, with insurance taking over.

For the moment, residents are waiting for the expert's conclusions who must come tomorrow to define whether or not they can return to their homes. A new information meeting will also be organized tomorrow afternoon.

In all, 42 firefighters coming from the barracks of Val-de-Reuil, Neubourg, Évreux and Harcourt, were mobilized.
A security cordon was set up around the Hortensia building, the entrance was closed and access from the street was restricted. A deviation was notably implemented from the Neubourg road.

“All animals that have not been evacuated”

Laura was napping when she was woke up at 11:40 a.m. by knocking on his door. “It was a woman, a volunteer firefighter who lives in the Maison Rouge district, who warned everyone of the fire,” describes the young woman aged 23 who lives on the 4th floor, on the other side of the building. She also believes that “this woman may have saved the lives of people in the building”.

I don't know what state my apartment is in today. Above all, I am still in shock from having seen this woman fall from the balcony. I was in front of the building when it happened.

Like all local residents, she watched part of the building being devoured by flames, “with the windows exploding and sending pieces of glass into the street”.

Laura says she is worried about her hospitalized neighbors as well as “for all the animals who have not been evacuated”. This evening, she will sleep with her 3-year-old daughter at her mother's house in Val-de-Reuil. She allows herself one last comment: “I find that the firefighters took a long time to arrive. They were there around 12:10 p.m. We didn't know what to do. »

“It’s very traumatic”

Another young resident, Charline, 24 years oldwas “very worried” about her mother, who lives on the same floor as the apartment in which the fire broke out. She further states that her cat was not found by the firefighters and that he “must still be on site”.

Still overcome with emotionshe confides: “It’s very traumatic. We tell ourselves that it only happens to other people, and yet. I worry about when we will be able to collect our personal belongings and go home. »

“Momentum of solidarity”

The mayor of Louviers, François-Xavier Priollaudwent to the scene around 12:15 p.m., where he saw “some distraught residents and residentsin a state of shock. He declares: “I thank the firefighters and the police, but also the social landlord and the city services who all worked to ensure that the victims of this fire did not feel isolated and to provide them with maximum comfort. “. The elected official affirms that “this evening, everyone has an accommodation solution. »

The city psychologist will provide, from tomorrow, a psychological listening cell for people who need it.

A “surge of solidarity” was set up with the charitable associations of Louviers who provided clothes and essential materials to residents who left with nothing.
For example, the new resource center which opened a few days ago at Maison Rouge provided clothing to certain residents of the building.

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