It is about 1:00 PM on Monday, January 1st when the firefighters intervene at number 10 Pierre-Picard Street in the XVIII arrondissement of Paris. An apartment on the 5th floor is on fire. Quickly, the firefighters move to the last three floors of the building to evacuate any residents who may still be inside. During the intervention, they break down 27 apartment doors.
In total, the fire has caused six injuries, with three being transported in “absolute urgency” due to smoke inhalation. But by late afternoon, when residents are allowed to enter the building, shock turns into incomprehension. “When we returned, we noticed that wooden boards had been screwed onto the 27 broken doors,” says Guy, a member of the building’s syndical council.
