A firefighter reveals the right reflexes to have in the event of a fire in a building. But the way to act depends on the location of the fire…
On July 18, 2024, an arson attack left seven people from the same family dead on the 7th floor of a building in Nice, in the Moulins district. Several fires broke out on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors, the public prosecutor said. The day after this tragedy, a person close to the three fleeing individuals was arrested.
Depending on the situation, it is not always easy to know how to react if this were to happen to us. Should we flee and take the emergency exits at the slightest alarm or stay at home? According to a firefighter we interviewed, it all depends on the location of the fire. Here is the counterintuitive, but crucial, reaction when a fire breaks out in an apartment.
Indeed, several scenarios can be expected in the event of a fire in a building: the fire can break out above your apartment, below your apartment or even in your apartment. For each of these situations, the fire can develop in different ways, which is why it is essential to adopt the right actions, depending on the situation. According to Aslak Rouaze, a firefighter in Rennes, a common reaction to these various scenarios is fundamental: stay at home if the smoke spreads outside.
Indeed, “in case of fire, if there is smoke in the corridor outside your apartment, stay at home”, the expert tells us. “The closed front door will contain the fire long enough for the firefighters to arrive.”. He pursues : “Never try to evacuate by taking a smoky corridor. The risk of serious smoke poisoning is too great. When the firefighters arrive, make yourself known at a window.” You can also block the passage of smoke under the doors with wet towels, the fire will lack air and will have a chance of suffocating on its own.
On the other hand, if the fire breaks out in your home and the common areas are not completely filled with smoke, “you can try to turn it off without taking any risks. If it is not off, leave the accommodation by closing the front door without locking it. Do not use the elevator and never retrace your steps”, explains Aslak Rouaze.
“Conversely, if the fire does not allow you to leave the apartment, it is important to move away from the fire by closing the doors and taking refuge in a room that has a window.”says Javi González, a Spanish firefighter. Once again, make your presence known to the firefighters quickly so that they can come and get you as soon as possible.