On Saturday, April 19, a violent fire broke out early in the afternoon at the Les Villages d’Or senior residence in Lattes, near Montpellier, forcing the evacuation of approximately fifty people. Four police officers from the anti-crime squad, present at the scene, played a crucial role in evacuating the residents before the arrival of the firefighters, thus preventing a tragedy.
A fire breaks out in the Les Villages d’Or residence
The incident occurred in the senior residence located on Avenue des Platanes, not far from the Grand Sud shopping center. A fire broke out in an unoccupied apartment on the ground floor. Despite the rapid response of the firefighters, smoke spread to the common areas of the three-story building. Heroic Police Response
During a routine patrol, four brave officers from the Anti-Crime Squad noticed smoke coming from the ground floor. Without waiting for emergency services to arrive, they immediately began evacuating the residents, several of whom were disabled. They repeatedly braved the fumes, running back and forth to assist those in distress, putting their own health at risk. Two of these officers required respiratory assistance on the spot due to smoke inhalation.
Successful evacuation and medical assistance
In total, approximately fifty people were evacuated, and around thirty suffered mild poisoning, including the four heroic police officers. The victims were gathered at a nearby hotel, Le Méjean, where they received first aid from the medical team. Of the 112 people present in the residence, only eight were transferred to the Lapeyronie Hospital Center for further assessment, remaining in a relatively emergency condition. Furthermore, the ground floor was sealed off, forcing seven families to be relocated by the town hall.
A robust response by the firefighters
The firefighters mobilized a significant force to bring the blaze under control. No fewer than 80 firefighters were deployed to the scene, using a water hose to control the flames. Thanks to the speed and efficiency of their response, the blaze, while impressive, was contained to the ground floor, thus avoiding more dramatic consequences. Tributes to the police officers and support for the victims
The Alliance Police Nationale 34 union expressed its support for the officers involved, highlighting their prompt action. “Thanks to the courage of these officers, a tragedy was avoided,” the union said in a statement. Their swift and courageous intervention saved the lives of residents and minimized the damage from this fire. The professional organization also wished a speedy recovery to the injured officers.
For more information on recent incidents in Montpellier involving similar events, see these articles:
Tragedy in Montpellier: Arson Attack on a Grocery Store
, Montpellier: Who is Responsible for the Fire in the Residence Hall?