Six die in Marseille old people's home fire

Six old age pensioners, all women, have died in a fire in an old people’s home in the southern French city of Marseille. Thirteen others were hospitalised after inhaling smoke, which was also the cause of the six deaths.

Reuters/Jean-Paul Pelissier

The overnight blaze at Les Anémones – a private establishment with 180 residents – was started when a male resident tried to open a bag of sweets with a cigarette lighter, according to local councillor Robert Assante. It spread rapidly down the corridor where the man’s room was situated.

The man was not one of the victims although his room has been completely destroyed.

The six women who died were all old and in delicate health and unable to move on their own, according to Marseille deputy prosecutor Christophe Barret.

Three of the hospitalised people are in a serious condition, he says.

Eighty firefighters and 28 fire engines were mobilised to fight the blaze, which was reported at 2.30 am.

Assante has demanded to know how the smoke could spread so quickly.