Fire Destroys Underground Car Park

The French fire service reports that on 11 November fire broke out at 02:00 in a car park beneath an apartment building in Alfortville, southeast of Paris. The fire totally destroyed a dozen cars. The ceiling then collapsed, damaging more cars.

70 people were evacuated from the building. Fortunately, none were hurt but several could not return to their apartments after the fire was extinguished due to the damage from smoke from the fire.

There is an ongoing discussion about whether to fit sprinklers in underground car parks in France. This incident highlights what can happen if a sprinkler system is not installed.