More fear than harm in the spectacular fire which broke out on Sunday, around 6 p.m., in the home managed by the Adef association on rue Lenain-Tillon, in Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis).
The fire started on the 3rd floor in this hostel for migrant workers.
Large flames were seen coming out of the building.
Then the fire spread to a neighboring apartment.
Firefighters intervened in time to rescue residents.
There were only minor injuries: two people who suffered particularly from the smoke, and six others who suffered minor injuries.
In any case, no one jumped out of the window to escape the flames as rumor had it.
Gilles Robel, former EELV elected official, blew up the flames by criticizing the municipality for its inaction.
In a tweet, he deplores the fact that tenants were forced to wait for long hours outside, “without help from the town hall”.
Fire yesterday at the ADEF home at Grands Pêchers in #Montreuil.
No more water or electricity in the building.
Residents have been outside since 6 p.m. yesterday, without personal belongings, food or blankets or help from the town hall for the moment.
Around 200 people are on the street and… pic.twitter.com/rkFD44YA9S
— Gilles Robel (@GillesRobel) January 29, 2024
On the contrary, responds the entourage of Patrice Bessac, the PCF mayor: “As soon as we were warned, the duty assistant and the migrant populations assistant went there.
They ensured that coordination between the different stakeholders was carried out as best as possible,” he assures.
Around fifty victims relocated by the association
The town hall was also criticized for not having opened a gymnasium.
" It was not necessary.
Family ties, the solidarity of local residents and Adef's support for rehousing, in conjunction with the prefecture, were enough,” explains the municipality.
Knowing that Montreuil already makes two of its gymnasiums available to accommodate the homeless.
Around 10 p.m., the majority of the 328 residents were able to return to their homes.
The fifty victims were rehoused partly in the association's heritage.
The origin of the disaster still remains unexplained.
As it stands, the analyzes have not yet delivered their results.
Today, the city sent agents to help residents with their administrative procedures.
“We salute the work of the firefighters and the solidarity of local residents,” underlines the town hall.