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| Paris Fire Kills at Least 8 in Apartment Building; Arson Is Suspected | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| PARIS — At least eight people were killed and 36 injured after a fast-moving fire that may have been intentionally set coursed through an eight-story building in a residential part of western Paris on Tuesday. | PARIS — At least eight people were killed and 36 injured after a fast-moving fire that may have been intentionally set coursed through an eight-story building in a residential part of western Paris on Tuesday. |
| Footage from the scene provided by the Paris Fire Department to French television showed flames bursting through the upper windows of the building and black smoke swirling around the courtyard, as firefighters climbed up ladders to reach people at their windows. Some were lowered to the ground using harnesses. | Footage from the scene provided by the Paris Fire Department to French television showed flames bursting through the upper windows of the building and black smoke swirling around the courtyard, as firefighters climbed up ladders to reach people at their windows. Some were lowered to the ground using harnesses. |
| The police opened a criminal investigation, the authorities were treating the fire as a possible case of arson. Rémy Heitz, the Paris prosecutor, told reporters early Tuesday that a 40-year-old woman living in the building had been taken into custody. | The police opened a criminal investigation, the authorities were treating the fire as a possible case of arson. Rémy Heitz, the Paris prosecutor, told reporters early Tuesday that a 40-year-old woman living in the building had been taken into custody. |
| “This person was arrested overnight, not far from the scene, not far from the fire,” Mr. Heitz said. He said that the woman had a history of mental health issues but did not provide more details about her identity or the reasons for her arrest. | “This person was arrested overnight, not far from the scene, not far from the fire,” Mr. Heitz said. He said that the woman had a history of mental health issues but did not provide more details about her identity or the reasons for her arrest. |
| Firefighters responded to the fire in the apartment building on Rue Erlanger, in the 16th Arrondissement, around 1 a.m., according to Capt. Valérian Fuet, a spokesman for the Paris Fire Department. | Firefighters responded to the fire in the apartment building on Rue Erlanger, in the 16th Arrondissement, around 1 a.m., according to Capt. Valérian Fuet, a spokesman for the Paris Fire Department. |
| Over 200 firefighters worked for hours until the blaze was finally put out shortly before 7 a.m., Captain Fuet said, adding that one person was seriously injured and that eight firefighters were among those who had suffered lighter injuries. | Over 200 firefighters worked for hours until the blaze was finally put out shortly before 7 a.m., Captain Fuet said, adding that one person was seriously injured and that eight firefighters were among those who had suffered lighter injuries. |
| About 50 people were evacuated from the building, he said, as were people in neighboring structures who were told to leave as a precaution. Those who had died appeared to have been burned or inhaled the smoke. | About 50 people were evacuated from the building, he said, as were people in neighboring structures who were told to leave as a precaution. Those who had died appeared to have been burned or inhaled the smoke. |
| “When we arrived, the fire had already started on several floors,” Captain Fuet told reporters later Tuesday morning, adding that the blaze had spread very rapidly. | “When we arrived, the fire had already started on several floors,” Captain Fuet told reporters later Tuesday morning, adding that the blaze had spread very rapidly. |
| He said that the fire had started in a part of an apartment complex that opens onto a courtyard rather than the street, preventing the firefighters from using mechanical ladders from their trucks, and forcing them instead to use hand ladders to evacuate residents. | He said that the fire had started in a part of an apartment complex that opens onto a courtyard rather than the street, preventing the firefighters from using mechanical ladders from their trucks, and forcing them instead to use hand ladders to evacuate residents. |
| Firefighters were still searching for survivors and assessing damage, including a potential risk that the seventh and eighth floors might collapse, Captain Fuet said. | Firefighters were still searching for survivors and assessing damage, including a potential risk that the seventh and eighth floors might collapse, Captain Fuet said. |
| Julien Denormandie, the French minister in charge of housing, told reporters at the scene that the building was about 50 years old and was not known to be at risk. | Julien Denormandie, the French minister in charge of housing, told reporters at the scene that the building was about 50 years old and was not known to be at risk. |
| The fire on Tuesday came several weeks after a powerful explosion tore through a bakery in the 9th Arrondissement, killing four people, including two firefighters, and wounding more than 60. The authorities believe the blast was caused by a gas leak, and an investigation is underway. | The fire on Tuesday came several weeks after a powerful explosion tore through a bakery in the 9th Arrondissement, killing four people, including two firefighters, and wounding more than 60. The authorities believe the blast was caused by a gas leak, and an investigation is underway. |