Seven people, including three children, have died in a fire that erupted early Thursday morning in Nice, southern France. Local authorities are treating the blaze as a possible arson attack, with investigations underway.
The fire swept through the upper floors of an apartment block in the Moulins area near the city’s airport.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed the devastating toll, noting that among the victims were three young children.
He assured that police would thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
According to Nice prosecutor Damien Martinelli, initial findings have prompted an inquiry into suspected arson as the cause of the fatalities.
Reports indicate that the deceased victims, all from the same family, included children aged five, seven, and ten.
Two individuals attempted to escape through a window; one succumbed to the fire, while the other remains in critical condition.
Witness Iftahou, who arrived at the scene during the blaze, recounted feeling helpless as he realized the dire situation inside the building.
Najim Maecha, head of the Comorian community in southern France, shared that he knew the family personally, noting their residency in Nice since around 2013.
Mayor Christian Estrosi expressed profound sorrow over the incident’s human toll, emphasizing that aside from the seven fatalities, another 30 individuals suffered from smoke inhalation.
He called for heightened security measures to ensure residents’ safety and prevent further incidents following what he described as a tragedy under investigation for possible arson.
Source-BBC
