French media report that three people were killed and nine injured in a fire at Le Mesnil retirement home in Bouffémont, north of Paris on 1 February. The fire was reported at 07:15 and is thought to have started in a laundry room on the third storey of the building, which housed 77 residents. All three who died were residents, while among the nine injured were seven residents and two members of staff. Eight were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. Over 100 firefighters attended. According to officials the building complied with regulations but unfortunately in France sprinklers are not required in care homes or homes for the elderly. Yet sprinklers have been proven to prevent multiple fatalities in these facilities.

By contrast sprinklers are required in such buildings in Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden and the UK as well as in many other developed countries outside Europe.