Building declared unsafe

A building in Toulouse, where about 100 unaccompanied foreign minors had been living for nearly two years, was recently declared off-limits after a series of incidents, including a recent fire. The structure, located at 159 rue Louis-Plana in the Roseraie neighborhood, is owned by Toulouse Métropole.

City criticized judicial delay

The City of Toulouse had requested an eviction from the building in July, but a judicial decision halted the process, leading to criticism from local authorities over the delays. The city argued that the legal hold contributed to the ongoing unsafe conditions in the building.

Fire and injuries reported

On October 6, a fire broke out for the third time in five months at the building. Six young people were injured when they jumped from the building to escape the flames, and only some were able to retrieve their belongings before the fire damaged the structure further.

City bans entry and occupation

Following the incident, the city issued an order prohibiting anyone from living in or entering the building. The order comes after previous concerns about safety and the repeated fires that have affected the structure and its occupants.

No housing solution found

The AutonoMIE collective, which supports the minors in seeking legal status recognition, stated that no comprehensive housing solution has been found yet. While some residents have offered temporary shelter, most of the minors remain without a place to live, according to Mediacités.

Fears of past events repeating

The current situation has raised fears among the minors and their supporters that events similar to those seen at the end of 2024 could recur. Before the group moved into the building, the minors had been scattered across the city in search of shelter.

Previous fires and legal challenges

A fire in the building’s basement was reported in July, leading to an immediate evacuation order from the city on July 8. This followed two earlier fires in May and a warning from the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service of Haute-Garonne dated May 27.

Legal action delayed eviction

The city's decision to evacuate the building was contested in court by the AutonoMIE collective. On July 23, the Toulouse Administrative Court suspended the municipal order, allowing the minors to remain in the building despite ongoing safety concerns.