The fire broke out in the building’s stairwell at around 1.35am on Christmas morning. Neighbours intervened to extinguish the flames, but the building was filled with heavy smoke, necessitating the evacuation of the residents.
When emergency services arrived on site they encountered “dramatic scenes” at the back of the building. A number of residents had fled to their windows or balconies as a result of the smoke and were frantically calling for help. Some had climbed out their windows onto the tops of the building’s porches. Firefighters deployed protective gear and ladders in order to rescue 13 people, including four children, and two dogs from the smoke.
The cause of the blaze, which left the historical building and the apartments contained within uninhabitable, has not yet been determined. The residents were brought to temporary accommodation. Two people were hospitalised amid fears of smoke inhalation. The building’s electricity was switched off in full for safety reasons.
Local police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. The mayor said they would work to find a solution as quickly as possible for the residents who have lost their homes at Christmas.
