The memorial. | |
Date | Sunday, 1 November 1970 |
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Time | Around 1:40 a.m. |
Location | Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, Isère, France |
Coordinates | 45°22′59″N 5°42′37″E / 45.38306°N 5.71028°E |
Cause | Ignition of interior fittings made of polyurethane and papier-mâché |
Deaths | 146 |
Suspects | Gilbert Bas, club manager Mayor of Saint-Laurent-du-Pont Several building contractors |
Charges | Manslaughter, numerous building code and safety violations |
Verdict | Guilty |
Convictions | Manslaughter |
The Club Cinq-Sept fire was a major blaze at a nightclub just outside Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, Isère, France, on Sunday, 1 November 1970. The fire claimed the lives of 146 people, almost all of whom were aged between 17 and 30.[1] The scale of the disaster shocked the country. Subsequent official enquiries revealed a catalogue of shortcomings, oversights and evasions with regard to fire safety at both local and département level. Criminal charges were brought against a number of people; some received suspended jail sentences.