The day after the terrible fire that ravaged a 7-storey building in Vaulx-en-Velin, killing ten people, including five children, and injuring 24, including four seriously, there is consternation in the Mas du Taureau district. 38 families, or around 100 people, were left homeless following the fire and had to be urgently relocated on Friday evening. An investigation has been opened to establish the cause of the fire. All the hypotheses are considered at this time: accident, voluntary outbreak of fire or even dilapidation of the building. But on the spot, it is anger that predominates: the inhabitants point to the almost permanent presence of dealers in the lobby of the building, who have been raging for years with complete impunity.
“People are scared”
According to several witnesses, the fire started from the entrance hall of the building. This hall is known to be a regular deal point in the neighborhood. Young people would have installed a sofa and even mattresses there and would squat the place permanently without it disturbing anyone. “I have been denouncing drug trafficking on the ground floor of this building for more than ten years,” insists Nordine Gasmi, elected opposition member and resident of Vaulx-en-Velin. “They lay mattresses and stay all day. People are afraid. In the building, there are only private properties, all have bought but because of that, there are people who move, who run away .”
For years, residents have felt abandoned, adds this resident of the neighborhood. “It’s a tragedy that we predicted each time in the municipal councils. We talk about it, we ask for security. We’ve already had a fire, there’s been nothing, always so many bulky items that are in front of the aisles, still not picked up. No one is responsible, no one cares, “she regrets at the microphone of Europe 1.
Pointed out, the socialist mayor of Vaulx-en-Velin Hélène Geoffroy explains that the problem was known, and that the building, very dilapidated, had to be renovated. Just like the district which must be the subject of a major urban requalification plan.