36 people had to be evacuated by firefighters (Illustration) © RVA
This Monday morning, a fire broke out in the town center of Cusset (Allier).
This Monday, November 18, around 7:30 a.m., a fire spread to a building in downtown Cusset (Allier). An apartment, located on Rue de l'Hôtel Dieu, caught fire on the fifth floor of a building, spreading to the roof. According to firefighters, the fire quickly spread through the buildinggiving off a lot of smoke. It took firefighters more than two hours to bring the fire under control and reach the apartment where the flames were coming from.
36 people evacuated
One person died. According to the head of rescue operations, “the apartment was difficult to reach, as it was heavily cluttered“ (comments collected by La Montagne). The victim was apparently known to have Diogenes syndrome, an extreme form of compulsive hoarding.
The other residents, 36 people in total, were able to be evacuated and taken care of by emergency services. They were able to take refuge in the retirement home located next door. The fire also injured three : a 66-year-old woman, transported to Vichy hospital, a firefighter with minor burns and a police officer who inhaled smoke.
Around fifty firefighters were mobilized to the scene. The operation is still underway to contain the fire.
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