Incident Overview
A devastating fire, attributed to a battery-powered electric scooter, engulfed a 10-story housing block in , resulting in four fatalities and numerous injuries.
The victims include a 13-year-old who leapt to his death and his presumed 15-year-old brother, alongside an 87-year-old woman and her 59-year-old son who succumbed to smoke inhalation.
Aftermath and Response
The fire, which started in the early hours of Friday, left two individuals with serious injuries, including the deceased boys' stepfather, while 26 others received treatment for minor injuries.
Reims prosecutor François Schneider confirmed the blaze was accidental, emphasizing the challenges in extinguishing battery fires, which prolonged the firefighting efforts over three hours.