At least 13 people were killed and six injured when a fire swept through a bar in the northern French city of Rouen early Saturday, police said.
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Through the shattered front windows of the Au Cuba Libre bar in Rouen melted stools and scorched liquor bottles were visible, as tearful mourners hugged each other and brought flowers to the scene.
The dead were aged between 16 and 25. Six other victims were injured, and another in critical condition.
Authorities said the bar was crowded with young partygoers.
Rouen’s archbishop Dominique Lebrun, who led the public service for the slain priest, celebrated a Mass on Saturday for the bar victims and their families, while Prime Minister Manuel Valls expressed his “deepest sadness”.
Initial reports indicate the explosion in Rouen, Normandy, was accidental, according to the Rouen Police Department. “Candles on a birthday cake started the fire after the person who carried it tripped on the stairs leading to the basement”.
[Photo by Kamil Zihnioglu/AP Images] Polystyrene is significantly flammable, and when it burns, it releases noxious gas into the environment. “Some of them tried to use a fire extinguisher, but it was too late”.
France has been on high alert following several fatal terror attacks.
“I was afraid that it was another attack, but right away I was told that it was an accident”, witness Rachid Ahmaymi, 36 told AFP. “Still I didn’t sleep last night and have come back to hear the latest news”.
Paris-Normandie, a local newspaper, reported flames set fire to soundproofing material on the basement walls and ceilings.
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The funeral for Father Jacques Hamel was held at Rouen cathedral on Tuesday. Eighty-five people were killed in the awful attack in Nice on Bastille Day (July 14); one hundred thirty people were killed in the Paris attacks at the end of a year ago; and a priest was stabbed to death by Islamist extremists during church services just outside Rouen on July 26.
