Three people died after a fire broke out in a seven-story apartment building in the Prainet neighborhood of Décines-Charpieu, near Lyon in eastern France.
Investigators are looking into the possibility that the fire on the morning of May 11 was started deliberately, against a backdrop of growing violence linked to drug trafficking in the area.
The fire started around 7:30am. Thick smoke quickly spread through the neighbourhood as emergency services arrived to evacuate residents and secure the area. More than 80 firefighters and dozens of emergency vehicles were deployed, along with police officers and medical teams.
Three residents lost their lives. Two of them, a 28-year-old man and his 61-year-old aunt, died inside their apartment on the seventh floor, where the fire caused the most damage. A third victim, also 28, was found dead outside the building after apparently jumping from a window while trying to escape the flames.
Authorities later confirmed that the victims were not known to police and had no connection to criminal networks. Fourteen other residents suffered minor injuries, mostly from smoke inhalation. Around 40 people were temporarily relocated to a nearby gymnasium opened by the town hall, while emergency psychological support was provided by the Red Cross.
Following the tragedy, the mayor of Décines-Charpieu, Laurence Fautra of the conservative party Les Républicains, announced a nighttime curfew for minors starting May 11 at 10pm. She also called for stronger government action in the neighbourhood, where tensions have been rising for weeks.
The Lyon prosecutor’s office opened an investigation for destruction by dangerous means resulting in death, organised homicide and criminal conspiracy.
The case has been assigned to specialised police units dealing with organised crime. Prosecutor Thierry Dran visited the site alongside forensic experts and fire investigators.
Police reportedly believe the fire could be linked to ongoing conflicts between rival drug trafficking groups in the Lyon suburbs. Investigators found at least one starting point for the fire in the building’s common areas, which supports the theory of arson.
Authorities said it is still too early to know whether anyone in particular was targeted.
Residents say the atmosphere in the neighbourhood has become increasingly tense since the end of April. Several intimidation fires and shootings have already taken place nearby.
In one recent incident, a woman returning home with her children was hit in the leg by a stray bullet during a shooting aimed at parked cars.
Many locals say drug dealing has existed in the area for years but that the violence has become more serious recently. Some fear that gang rivalries are escalating and putting ordinary residents at risk.
The fire has also brought back memories of the deadly apartment blaze in Vaulx-en-Velin in 2022, when 10 people, including four children, died in a building fire later linked to criminal activity around a drug dealing point.
No arrests have been made so far in the Décines case but the investigation is continuing.
