Fifty-seven firefighters were called to a burning apartment block in the centre of Vallauris at 3.30 in the morning on Sunday July 5, after a fire broke out in the building's stairwell and spread smoke and heat through multiple flats.
A woman of 45 and a man of 43 were taken to Nice's CHU hospital in a serious condition. Three others, a 27-year-old woman, a nine-year-old girl and a 31-year-old man, sustained lighter injuries and were taken to the Fondation Lenval in Nice and to Antibes hospital. A 16-year-old boy and a firefighter were also treated for minor injuries at the scene. Seven people in total were taken care of by emergency services.
Nineteen fire engines supported the 57 firefighters deployed, who divided into two teams on arrival, one tackling the blaze and a second setting up a medical post outside to treat those evacuated from the building. The fire was brought under control and the intervention is now complete. Representatives from Enedis, GRDF, the national police, municipal police and a deputy mayor attended the scene.
The Alpes-Maritimes fire service used the incident to remind residents that in the event of a building fire, the correct response is to remain behind a closed, sealed door and call 18 or 112 rather than attempting to use the stairwell.
Source: France 3 Régions, ICI Azur