The deadly blaze was caused by a still glowing cigarette butt.
A man was sentenced Tuesday by the Epinal criminal court to one year of suspended imprisonment for the involuntary manslaughter of his sister, who died following a fire caused by a cigarette.
A fire broke out at the victim's home in Mirecourt (Vosges), on the morning of February 26, 2023, due to a cigarette poorly extinguished by her brother.
The defendant, who had slept there, got up in the night to smoke a cigarette but forgot to put it out when going back to sleep.
The cigarette butt burned and set fire to the sofa bed and furniture before the smoke spread throughout the apartment, according to the Vosges matin daily.
Burned on 38% of the body
The victim, a mother, was transported to the Metz burn center and died there 18 days later, with second and third degree burns on 38% of the body, according to the local newspaper.
At the hearing on February 17, the prosecution had requested a one-year suspended prison sentence as well as an obligation to undergo psychological treatment but also to treat his addiction.
The court followed the requisitions of the public prosecutor, also with a work obligation.
He must also pay the sum of 587,226 euros to the Primary Health Insurance Fund (CPAM) as well as heavy damages to his sister's relatives.