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Normandy Bar Fire Kills at Least 13 at Birthday Party Normandy Bar Fire Kills at Least 13 at Birthday Party
(about 5 hours later)
PARIS — A fast-moving fire that appeared to be accidental swept through a birthday party in a basement bar in the northwest French city of Rouen, killing at least 13 people and injuring six others, the authorities said Saturday. PARIS — A fast-moving fire that appeared to be accidental swept through a birthday party in a basement bar in the northern French city of Rouen, killing at least 13 people and injuring six others, the authorities said Saturday.
More than 80 firefighters battled the blaze early Saturday at the bar, Cuba Libre, and it was unclear how many people were inside at the time, the mayor of Rouen, Yvon Robert, said. He described the fire — the deadliest in France since 2005 — as “very brief.”More than 80 firefighters battled the blaze early Saturday at the bar, Cuba Libre, and it was unclear how many people were inside at the time, the mayor of Rouen, Yvon Robert, said. He described the fire — the deadliest in France since 2005 — as “very brief.”
The birthday party began as “a moment of joy for those involved,” but it “ended tragically,” Mr. Robert said.The birthday party began as “a moment of joy for those involved,” but it “ended tragically,” Mr. Robert said.
A local prosecutor, Laurent Labadie, said the first accounts from survivors and the early police investigation indicated that the “fire was completely accidental.”A local prosecutor, Laurent Labadie, said the first accounts from survivors and the early police investigation indicated that the “fire was completely accidental.”
“There was no explosion,” Mr. Labadie said. “Candles on a birthday cake started the fire after the person who carried it tripped on the stairs leading to the basement.”“There was no explosion,” Mr. Labadie said. “Candles on a birthday cake started the fire after the person who carried it tripped on the stairs leading to the basement.”
Sound-insulating material on the basement’s walls quickly ignited, Mr. Labadie said, and party guests had no time to escape from the basement. The bodies were still being identified, he said.Sound-insulating material on the basement’s walls quickly ignited, Mr. Labadie said, and party guests had no time to escape from the basement. The bodies were still being identified, he said.
Residents paid tribute to the victims by laying flowers at the scene. Images on French television from outside the bar showed a large window broken open, burned red bar chairs and a tattered awning.Residents paid tribute to the victims by laying flowers at the scene. Images on French television from outside the bar showed a large window broken open, burned red bar chairs and a tattered awning.
France is on a high terrorism alert after two deadly attacks last month, one of them outside Rouen, which is in the Normandy region. On July 26 there, two men killed a priest in a church in an attack claimed by the Islamic State. The funeral was held Tuesday in Rouen Cathedral.France is on a high terrorism alert after two deadly attacks last month, one of them outside Rouen, which is in the Normandy region. On July 26 there, two men killed a priest in a church in an attack claimed by the Islamic State. The funeral was held Tuesday in Rouen Cathedral.
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve gave an initial count of 13 dead and six injured in the fire. The prefecture, which runs the region, said one of the six was in a life-threatening condition.Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve gave an initial count of 13 dead and six injured in the fire. The prefecture, which runs the region, said one of the six was in a life-threatening condition.