At least five people, including at least one child, were killed in a fire in a building located in the Montgaillard district of Saint-Denis on Reunion Island during the night from Sunday to Monday.
More than 300 tenants were evacuated and around 100 apartments were destroyed.
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For an undetermined reason at this stage, a fire broke out in one of the apartments of the building belonging to the real estate company of the department of Reunion (SIDR), a social landlord.
“The flames quickly spread throughout the building through the wooden passageways,” said Colonel Léguiller.
The blaze was visible from several points in the city.
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Coming from all the barracks on the island, a hundred firefighters intervened. Their task was complicated “by a strong wind which kindled the fire”.
“I cried to wake up my family”
“I was woken up by crackles, I didn’t understand right away and then I saw the light. I cried out to wake up my family, ”says Jeysone, a young man in his twenties who lived in accommodation on the 4th floor.
It all went so fast, barely two minutes
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“We were able to go out, but I don’t know what happened to the neighbors. Everything went so fast, barely two minutes, ”he adds in shock.
Supported by the municipal services and the Red Cross, around 200 people were received in a gymnasium in the city.
“What these families have suffered is violent, they must now rest, regain their spirits, be supported”, commented Ericka Bareigts, mayor of Saint-Denis.
“A psychological unit will be activated and a special number dedicated to victims and their relatives will be set up,” she added.
A fire of this magnitude had not occurred in Reunion for several decades.
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