France: explosion in Rouen bar kills 13, wounds six

 

 

A fire in a bar in Rouen, France, has left at least 13 people dead and six injured, one seriously, according to Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve.

 

The public prosecutor says the origin of the fire at the Reunion island-themed Cuba Libre bar seems to have been accidental. According to the local press, an explosion occurred in the basement, killing and trapping several young people between the ages of 18 and 25.

 

The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. Firefighters, called to the bar in the Normandy region at 00.50 (CET) on Saturday (August 6), managed to rescue six of those inside. A private birthday party was taking place at the time.

 

The bodies of those who died have been taken to a nearby hospital. Psychological assistance is being made available to the families of the victims. An investigation is underway and local media report the police are questioning 11 witnesses.

 

Rescue operations were completed at 3am (CET) and the building has now been declared secure.

 

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-08-06

What a terrible tragedy, the timing could hardly be worse either. Though the authorities have long forfeit my trust my gut feeling is this is just the horrific accident they claim it to be.

BBC News. 9.00 (UK time):

 

"Candles on a birthday cake started the fire at the Cuba Libre bar, which began around midnight on Saturday.

The polystyrene ceiling of the basement room where the celebration was taking place caught fire, according to AFP."

Edited August 6, 20169 yr by Enoon

15 minutes ago, Enoon said:

BBC News. 9.00 (UK time):

 

"Candles on a birthday cake started the fire at the Cuba Libre bar, which began around midnight on Saturday.

The polystyrene ceiling of the basement room where the celebration was taking place caught fire, according to AFP."

If that is true, I hope the owners go to jail for a very long time. However, polystyrene does not explode.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene

Like all organic compounds, polystyrene burns to give carbon dioxide and water vapor. Polystyrene, being an aromatic hydrocarbon, typically combusts incompletely as indicated by the sooty flame.

We have a night club in Rawai, Phuket. It used to be in Nai Harn and was incredibly noisy. In Rawai you can't hear much at all.

 

I wonder what kind of sound-proofing it has and how many exits there are. 

 

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

If that is true, I hope the owners go to jail for a very long time. However, polystyrene does not explode.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene

Like all organic compounds, polystyrene burns to give carbon dioxide and water vapor. Polystyrene, being an aromatic hydrocarbon, typically combusts incompletely as indicated by the sooty flame.

 

Most bars contain  containers of compressed CO2.

 

When subjected to heat, such as in a fire of this nature,  the compressed gas inside expands, which can increase the pressure inside enough to cause the containers to explode.

 

I don't know if that is the actual cause of any explosions in this fire; but it is a possible, probable even, explanation.

I am thinking of the illegally built buildings on WS Pattaya... many of them are a similar accident waiting to happen.  

15 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

If that is true, I hope the owners go to jail for a very long time. However, polystyrene does not explode.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene

Like all organic compounds, polystyrene burns to give carbon dioxide and water vapor. Polystyrene, being an aromatic hydrocarbon, typically combusts incompletely as indicated by the sooty flame.

 

It's the sooty products of the incomplete combustion that explode.  Massive surface area per unit volume and when combined with air and an ignition source, off they go.