Four Dead in Lyon Squat Fire: Suspect Charged with Assassination, Two Others for Failure to Assist
A fatal fire in a Lyon squat claimed four lives; one suspect faces assassination charges, while two others are charged with failure to assist.
- • Four people died of smoke inhalation in a squat fire in Lyon's 3rd arrondissement.
- • One suspect is charged with assassination and detained.
- • Two others are charged with failure to assist and placed under judicial supervision.
- • Firefighters quickly controlled the fire, preventing further spread.
Key details
On October 20, 2025, a deadly fire broke out in a squat located in the basement of a ten-story building in Lyon's 3rd arrondissement, resulting in the deaths of four people—two men and two women in their forties. The victims, believed to be squatters, died from asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation, as emergency responders found no signs of burns but discovered them in cardiac arrest upon arrival.
The fire started around 5 AM and was rapidly brought under control by nearly 80 firefighters deploying 34 vehicles, successfully preventing the flames from spreading to the ground floor and upper levels of the building. The squat was situated in a building owned by a social landlord, and it was reported that local social action centers had raised concerns about illegal occupations in the area prior to the incident.
Following a thorough investigation, the Lyon prosecutor's office announced charges against three individuals linked to the fire. One suspect has been formally charged with assassination and detained, while two others face charges of failure to assist persons in danger and remain under judicial supervision. Marion Sessiecq, the mayor of the 3rd arrondissement, highlighted that the victims were squatting in the building and underscored the precarious conditions in the neighborhood, which has faced increasing illegal occupations and social decline. Residents of the area, situated between Lyon's business district Part-Dieu and the multicultural neighborhood of La Guillotière, have expressed mounting concerns over deteriorating safety and living conditions.
The fire tragedy has brought attention to the broader challenges of precarious housing and unauthorized occupations in Lyon’s 3rd arrondissement, raising urgent questions about social housing management and safety enforcement in the city.