Family of fallen Paris firefighter struggles to rebuild eight years after tragic gas explosion
Eight years after a gas explosion killed 28-year-old firefighter Simon Cartannaz, his family reflects on the loss as a trial of the City of Paris and the condo union begins.
In January 2019, a gas leak on rue de Trévise triggered an explosion that killed Simon Cartannaz, a 28-year-old sergeant-rank firefighter serving the nation. Eight years later, his relatives in the Savoyard village of Entremont-le-Vieux confront the enduring pain of his loss. A legal proceeding against the Ville de Paris and the syndicat de copropriété has commenced, addressing accusations of homicide and involuntary injury.
Within the family’s modest farmhouse, a small shrine holds Simon’s fire helmet, a miniature red fire engine marked “18”, and photographs, serving as a focal point of remembrance. The household’s library, filled with eclectic books ranging from agricultural manuals to fairy tales, reflects the family’s attempt to maintain normalcy. Alain Cartannaz, now 71, repeatedly expresses that Simon dominates his thoughts, highlighting the deep personal impact of the disaster.
