Club Cinq-Sept fire
| Time | Around 1:40 A.M. |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, 1 November 1970 |
| Location | Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, Isère |
| Coordinates | 45°22′59″N 5°42′37″E / 45.38306°N 5.71028°ECoordinates: 45°22′59″N 5°42′37″E / 45.38306°N 5.71028°E |
| Cause | Ignition of interior fittings made of polyurethane and papier-mâché |
| Deaths | 146 |
| Suspect(s) | Gilbert Bas, club manager Mayor of Saint-Laurent-du-Pont Several building contractors |
| Charges | Manslaughter, numerous building code and safety violations |
| Verdict | Guilty |
| Convictions | Manslaughter |
The Club Cinq-Sept fire was a major blaze at a nightclub just outside Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, Isère in south-eastern France on Sunday, 1 November 1970. The catastrophe claimed the lives of 146 people, almost all of whom were aged between 17 and 30. The scale of the disaster shocked the French nation. Subsequent official enquiries revealed a catalogue of shortcomings, oversights and evasions with regard to fire safety at both local and département level. Criminal charges were brought against a number of people; some received suspended jail sentences.
The Club Cinq-Sept (or Club 5–7), which was situated in a relatively isolated location 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, opened for business in April 1970. It was housed within a newly constructed large, open-plan windowless structure with external walls built of breeze blocks supporting a corrugated iron roof. The main entrance to the club was via a spiked full-height turnstile. The ground floor housed a , bar and restaurant, with simulated grottos constructed of polyurethane and papier-mâché around the walls. A single spiral staircase led to a gallery which ran right round the building and contained more alcoves and grottos. The roof was supported by pillars which were decorated with various flammable materials.
The Club Cinq-Sept quickly established itself as a popular draw for young people in the region, attracting customers from Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, the nearby towns of Chambéry and Voiron, and the city of Grenoble, 20 miles (32 km) away.
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