During the night from Thursday to Friday, a fire ravaged a building in downtown Reims. The flames devoured the 4th floor, killing four people and two seriously injured. If the assessment remains “provisional”, according to the prefecture of the Marne, and that the origin of fire is always unknown at this stage, how to maximize its chances of survival in such a fire? Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical, guides us.
Stop the spread of fire: an absolute priority
“”The first reflex to have is to prevent fire from spreading“, insists Dr. Gérald Kierzek. For this, several simple but vital gestures must be adopted:
- Close all the doors by evacuating: “A closed door considerably slows the spread of flames and smoke. “
- Do not break all the windows: “Oxygen supply supplies the fire. “
- Cut, if possible, ventilation and air conditioning systems: “to avoid smoke circulation. “
If the fire is declared above your floor
In Reims, Gilpatrick, resident of the building, just lived “Above the apartment that burned “. Like others, she managed to extricate himself from the fire by descending one by one floors. But when the fire declares itself above its floor, what to do concretely? Dr. Gérald Kierzek recommends:
- Immediately leave the premises “by stairs, without ever taking the elevator“.
- Walking curved if the smoke is dense: “Fresh air is close to the ground“.
- Check the doors before opening them: “If they are hot, don’t go.“”
If the fire is declared below or blocks the output
In this situation, the best option is still to stay in your apartment, says the doctor.
- Stay in your accommodation: “It is the surest if the evacuation is impossible“;
- Caul up the openings (doors, ventilation) “with damp cloths to block smoke“;
- Report your presence to windows for help;
- Wait for firefighters: “Well -isolated accommodation can resist a long time“.
If you are caught in the flames
Humidity can literally save you, reveals Dr Gérald Kierzek.
“”To do this, cover with a damp blanket-avoiding plastic materials-and roll on the ground if your clothes set fire, without running“He says.
And to prevent the worst?
Upstream of such a fire, adopt the right reflexes:
“”Regularly check the smoke detectors, know the emergency exits of your building and keep the stairs and corridors released – by freeing them from any bulky object“Concludes the medical director of True Medical.