EXPLOSION IN PARIS
(N .Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) PARIS, Dec. 22.
Nine persons, including an 18-month-old baby, have died from injuries received in a gas explosion -in a 14-storey circular apartment block in the Paris suburb of Argenteuil.
The child died in hospital early today after being admitted with 44 other injured residents. Seventy-two families lived in the block and many were having lunch when the blast occurred.
“It was Apocalyptic,” said a senior fireman. He said that bodies hurtled through the windows at various levels amid flying glass, furniture, mattresses and Christmas decorations when the explosion took place. The firemen were in the building to deal with a small fire in the ground flooi central heating room. Seven firemen were injured. An official inquiry has been opened, amid charges that the explosion was caused by a gas leak in the 18-month-old building. Not a single floor escaped damage. The blast ripped away the central staircase, marooning survivors in their flats.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32797, 23 December 1971, Page 13
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159EXPLOSION IN PARIS Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32797, 23 December 1971, Page 13
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