World · Europe · 3 hrs ago

Fire at Lisieux building prompts evacuation of about 120 people

Fire at Lisieux building prompts evacuation of about 120 people

A fire broke out during waterproofing work at a building on Rue de la Gare in Lisieux, in France's Calvados region, on Wednesday.

The fire began around the roof terrace, at expansion joints, and was difficult for firefighters to reach.

About 120 people were evacuated: 10 building occupants and 106 students, staff and teachers from an animal osteopathy school in the building.

Firefighters used specialist teams, thermal-camera drones and openings in the walls to reach the hidden fire.

No one was injured, and the situation was under control by 2:45 p.m.

Water from the firefighting operation seeped into the school, and the risk of toxic carbon monoxide was one reason for the precautionary evacuation.

Insurance claims and responsibility may now need to be addressed by occupants, the building's owners and the parties involved in the work; the available information does not say what happens next.

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What people are saying

Manuel Rahaincommander who led the operation
L’objectif est d’éviter la propagation. C’est un feu couvant, très complexe, difficile à atteindre, qui nécessite des moyens spécifiques
via Actu.fr
Un des risques importants des joints de dilatation est que cela émane beaucoup de monoxyde de carbone, un gaz toxique
via Actu.fr