Major Fire Engulfs Les Chartreux School in Lyon, 150 Students Safely Evacuated
Lyon, April 1, 2026 – A significant fire erupted at the Les Chartreux private Catholic institution in Lyon’s 4th arrondissement on Wednesday evening, April 1, 2026. The blaze, which affected a building used for high school classrooms, prompted the mobilization of numerous firefighters and the evacuation of approximately 150 students from the boarding school.
Emergency Response and Evacuation
The fire was first reported in the Croix-Rousse district. According to initial reports from police sources and eyewitnesses received by actu Lyon, the fire started in a building housing high school classrooms. Amateur images circulating on social media showed flames and thick black smoke emanating from the windows of the affected building, with the fire reportedly spreading to the roof.
Emergency services were swiftly dispatched to the scene. A substantial contingent of 34 fire vehicles and 73 firefighters were mobilized to combat the blaze. Three fire hoses were deployed to bring the fire under control.
A critical immediate action was the evacuation of students from the boarding school. Initially, reports indicated that around 300 students were evacuated. However, later in the evening, a prefectural source clarified that approximately 150 individuals were safely evacuated from the premises. These students were secured in a nearby building before the arrival of the fire services. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
Parents of the boarding students have been advised to collect their children starting from 8:00 AM on Thursday.
Official Presence and Ongoing Investigation
The delegated prefect for security visited the scene to assess the situation and oversee the emergency response. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Les Chartreux institution operates multiple sites throughout Lyon, including schools, colleges, a high school, and boarding facilities. The extent of the damage to the affected building and its impact on the institution’s operations are yet to be fully determined.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the situation develops and the investigation into the fire’s origin progresses.
