A birthday party ended in tragedy after a “killer birthday cake” started a horror fire which claimed the lives of at least 13 teenagers and young people.
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French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve gave an initial count of 13 dead and six injured but it is feared this could go up.
Most of the casualties were trapped in the basement and couldn’t make their way out as a result of the resulting confusion.
The blaze in Rouen was France’s deadliest since September 2005 when an apartment building fire in the Paris suburb of L’Hay-les-Roses killed 18 people.
As Eleanor reports, French authorities say there is “no reason to expect foul play”, but this is happening as France is tense about recent attacks by extremists.
The soundproofing material that covers the basement ceiling emitted toxic gas, which reacted to the lit candles and engulfed the venue in massive, fast-moving flames. “There was an immediate conflagration and gas was released”. We saw the smoke.
A police officer told Reuters that one of the injured bar-goers was in critical condition after suffering burns on nearly 90 percent of their body.
French President Francois Hollande voiced his sympathy for the victims’ families and said “everything would be done” to find out what caused the fire.
The use of polystyrene insulators (which is what was used at Au Cuba Libre) is prohibited in France, specifically because of this incredible toxicity. “Still I didn’t sleep last night and have come back to hear the latest news”. The funeral Mass was held at the Rouen cathedral on Tuesday.
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And during Bastille Day on July 14, a man who pledged allegiance to ISIS plowed through crowds gathered to watch fireworks in Nice, killing at least 85.
