Fire Claims Life in Historic French Town

Blaze Engulfs Building in Embrum, Leaving Nine Injured

A devastating fire ripped through a historic building in Embrum, France, early this morning, resulting in one fatality and leaving nine people injured. The incident underscores the vulnerability of older structures to fire, a growing concern as nearly 40% of buildings in France are over 50 years old, according to INSEE data from 2023.

Resident Dies in Escape Attempt

The fire erupted shortly before 2 a.m. in the heart of Embrum, a town located in the Hautes-Alpes region. Tragically, a man in his thirties perished after attempting to escape the rapidly spreading flames by jumping from the second story. Marcel Cannat, head of the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS) of Hautes-Alpes, confirmed the death to reporters at the scene.

“A resident of his thirty years is dead by throwing himself from the second floor to escape the flames.”

—Marcel Cannat, President of SDIS Hautes-Alpes

Injuries and Response

Emergency services reported that nine individuals sustained injuries in the blaze. Three are currently hospitalized with serious conditions, while three firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation. Cannat praised the efforts of the 80 firefighters who battled the blaze, deploying eight units, including two major-scale teams, to contain the fire and protect adjacent buildings.

Firefighters worked diligently to prevent the fire from spreading, effectively creating firebreaks to safeguard neighboring structures. Cannat explained that crews focused on containing the flames both horizontally and vertically to prevent further escalation.

“From one height to the other, the whole street could pass (…) they cut the fire on one side and on the other so that it does not go down, so that it does not go up above.”

—Marcel Cannat, President of SDIS Hautes-Alpes

Building at Risk of Collapse

Although the fire is now extinguished, authorities have warned that the building is structurally unstable and faces imminent collapse. No individuals are currently missing, according to the incident commander. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety measures, particularly in older buildings. Further updates will be provided as they become available.