Onlookers stop in front of the building with its slightly blackened facade. At 12 rue du Cordouan, in the city center of La Rochelle, a few meters from the central market, no one remains indifferent to the tragedy which cost the life of Muriel, 63, a little over a week ago. A painting with his first name and a few flowers pay tribute to him. “It’s very sad,” reacted a couple from Petit-Marseille, in front of the building. On November 25, around 6:50 p.m., an explosion set the building on fire. Only one person was inside at the time, on the top floor. Muriel was unfortunately discovered dead by the firefighters.
A week after this terrible event, no one still knows precisely the causes of the disaster. La Rochelle prosecutor Arnaud Laraize specifies that an expert “has only just been able to enter the building”. His report is awaited. Two days after the explosion, the City issued a security order with emergency measures. The building is no longer habitable and no commercial activity can take place there. On the ground floor, the old laundromat has been closed for a long time. The explosion had blown out the windows of the store. A single tenant of 12, absent at the time of the fire, was rehoused through the City's Communal Social Action Center (CCAS). She is no closer to finding her place to live.
The solidity of the building checked
The first assessments made it possible to ensure the solidity of the building and, in fact, to give authorization to neighboring residents to return to their apartments. There were less than ten of them. “The neighborhood is full of furnished tourist accommodation,” says Ménélik, a direct neighbor of 12, pointing to the numerous key boxes hanging next to the doors. “The building was unsanitary,” he continues. Work had been planned for a long time by the owner but it was dragging on. » This Wednesday evening, December 4, his 71-year-old mother plans to return to their house, even if “it still smells burnt”.
