Fire breaks out in Grenoble store

A fire broke out in a party supplies store on Avenue Alsace-Lorraine in Grenoble, France, on Saturday, October 17, during a demonstration against the high cost of living. The fire started on the ground floor of the building, according to local authorities.

Evacuation and firefighting efforts

Firefighters evacuated residents of the building and used multiple fire hoses to contain the flames. The Fêt'à Fête store, where the fire began, and the nearby Damart store were destroyed, along with at least two apartments that suffered significant damage.

Injuries and temporary relocation

Several people were injured, likely due to smoke inhalation, though the exact number of victims was not known. Some residents were relocated for the night to friends' homes or taken in by city services.

Fire contained and cause unknown

The fire was controlled by Sunday morning, but the exact cause remains unclear. At the time of the fire, many stores in the city center were being looted, and clashes between law enforcement and vandals erupted.

Aftermath and repairs

On Monday, October 19, most residents were able to return to their apartments, although part of the building remains without water after a water main was destroyed by the fire. A security company has been hired to prevent further looting.

Arrests and law enforcement presence

The prefecture of Isère announced that 51 people were arrested in Grenoble on Saturday, with over 550 police officers and gendarmes, including reinforcements from CRS and mobile gendarmerie, deployed to manage the situation.