An elderly Filipino couple originally from Mangaldan, Pangasinan were among the residents who perished during a fire in an apartment building in Rue Erlanger in southwest Paris on Tuesday morning.
Manila Bulletin identified the couple as Francisco and Cresencia Abalos. They were reportedly living on the 8th floor of the apartment building where the fire broke out.
The Abaloses were among the 10 people who were killed in the fire, which investigators said was a possible case of arson, ABS-CBN News reported. The fire also left dozens of people hurt.
The couple was survived by their three children, including their daughter Richelle, who also lives in Paris.
A 40-year-old woman who has a history of psychiatric problems was detained because authorities believed she may have set the apartment building on fire.
The police said the woman was “intoxicated when detained and attempting to set fire to a car.” She had previous run-ins with the authorities including once for arson but was never convicted.
Radyo Inquirer reported that two other Filipinos, Norma Batara and her niece Sherilyn Batag escaped the fire. The two lived on the third floor of the building.
Meanwhile, radio station Bombo Radyo reported that the family of the Abaloses asked for privacy from the media as they mourn the death of their relatives.
A special mass was held for the victims on Wednesday at Église Saint-François de Molitor Church in Paris, Remate reported.
The incident is being considered as the deadliest fire that occurred in Paris since April 2005, when a fire occurred at the Paris-Opera hotel which left 24 people dead.
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