A spectacular collapse that could have had far more dramatic consequences. It’s a little after 12:30 AM when the floor of an apartment on the 5th floor of a building at 34 bis rue Amelot suddenly collapses. About fifty people were attending a private party. In a matter of seconds, several guests fall to the floor below, trapped under the debris. The shock on site is complete.
The report states there are 15 injured, including one person in critical condition, who remains in serious condition. Nearly 145 firefighters are dispatched, and some victims are taken to a nearby nursing home. The building is fully evacuated and an investigation is underway. But quickly, a question arises: is the weight of the guests responsible for the collapse?
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Water: "The Number One Enemy" of Old Buildings
According to initial information shared by firefighters and the police prefecture, the collapse appears to be structural and not related to a gas leak. A theory is emerging: water infiltration, possibly from the balcony.
For Dominique Boussuge, president of the International Institute of Vauban Experts, specializing in building pathology, this scenario is unfortunately classic. “Water is the number one enemy of old buildings,” she reminds us. Before World War II, most Parisian buildings were supported by wooden floors held up by beams. When water seeps in, sometimes for years, the wood rots, loses its strength, and eventually breaks.
Contrary to popular belief, a healthy floor is designed to support 400 to 500 kg per square meter.
Square Pond. “Even with 50 people, weight is not an issue if the structure is intact,” emphasizes the expert.See this post on Instagram
Should we fear more collapses in Paris?
While this type of accident is rare, it is not unheard of. Many old buildings in Paris, but also in Lyon, Marseille, and Toulouse, are now considered fragile. The danger primarily comes from a lack of maintenance and the gradual habituation to the risks.
essive to warning signs.A floor that feels soft, unusual creaking, visible sagging at the baseboards are all signals that should raise alarms. « When you notice a gap between the baseboard and the floor in the middle of a room, it’s often the sign that a beam is sagging », explains Dominique Boussuge.
In this case, it’s crucial to immediately notify the property manager and call in an expert. Without intervention, collapse is usually inevitable… sooner or later.