A peaceful morning at the Montparnasse cemetery turned into a scene of chaos when a sweeper caught fire, causing an explosion that shook the entire 14th arrondissement of Paris.
Explosion of a sweeper at the Montparnasse cemetery (1/12)
On Wednesday, October 15, the Montparnasse cemetery, usually a haven of peace, was the scene of an unexpected and disturbing event. At 10:40 a.m., a gas-powered sweeper caught fire, triggering an explosion that resounded throughout the neighborhood. This place, known for housing the burials of many emblematic figures, saw its calm interrupted by a sudden detonation and thick black smoke rising into the Parisian sky.
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Rapid response by firefighters (2/12)
The Paris firefighters, alerted by the scale of the incident, quickly deployed five engines to control the flames. Their quick intervention made it possible to contain the fire and avoid injuries, although the sweeper was completely destroyed. Visitors were rushed to the scene, and the cemetery was temporarily closed to the public to ensure everyone’s safety.
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Testimony of a local resident (3/12)
Sika, a local resident, described the scene with emotion: ‘I heard a big explosion and when I turned around I saw a big black cloud. I rushed to call the fire brigade and my relatives.’ His testimony illustrates the panic that took hold of the inhabitants of the neighborhood, surprised by this unexpected event. As the smoke intensified, she even prepared her belongings in case an evacuation was necessary.
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