The tragedy of the Mésanges will be commemorated on February 20 in Mons. The fire in the social housing building formerly located on Avenue des Mésanges had cost the lives of seven people and injured several people on February 20, 2003.
“It is a tragedy that we obviously regret bitterly and that our teams will never forget”indicated Marc Darville, current President of Toit&moi (ex-Sorelobo, owner of the building known as “des Mésanges”). “I also apologized on behalf of Toitmoi (…) this week. Obviously we are sorry and have been for 20 years already. I hope that this official apology will relieve these families and make their mourning. Apologies which should also be presented by the person who started the fire and all those who committed acts of vandalism degrading the security equipment.”
The Mons social real estate company has indicated that a delegation from “Toit&moi” will be present at the commemorations organized by the City of Mons on Monday 20 February. “We regret that the company (Toit&Moi) uses, even today, as in the past, isolated vandalism, thus creating a smokescreen on its own responsibilities”reacted the victims of the tragedy in a press release. “We recall that a 10-year investigation and a trial took place. Justice established, without difficulty, the criminal responsibility of the public housing company. As for the trail of the arsonist, no offense to some , she was exhausted.”
John, the former spokesperson for the victims committee, also spoke on their behalf today. “It’s an important moment for them. They are moved. First for the memory of the deceased, who left in atrocious conditions. And then for the fight of the families who fought an extremely long fight”, he says to our microphone.
One regret, however: the former occupants of the Tour des Mésanges would have liked to receive a direct apology. “For us, a valid excuse is an excuse directly in front of the victims and not behind a camera or behind a newspaper”underlines a former occupant.
