The fire of Nitrate films had left two dead, in Vincennes, on the night of August 10 to 11, 2020. The Creteil Criminal Court condemned Mr. Bromberg, owner of this stock of hyperinflammable films, five years old Prison, including a farm, for involuntary homicides, involuntary injuries, endangering the life of others and involuntary destruction of goods by fire.
by Laurent Carpentier
Emotion at the announcement of the judgment in the case of the fire of Nitrate films, which had killed two on the night of August 10 to 11, 2020, in Vincennes (Val-de-Marne), and for which The Creteil Criminal Court made its judgment this Tuesday, January 24,
The judges struck strongly by condemning five years in prison, including a farm, Serge Bromberg, the boss of Lobster films, figure of the heritage cinema and owner of this stock of hyperinflammable films, which had kept them in defiance of the Legal rules, in a inhabited building, where the fire had declared itself. Even if this year of imprisonment will be set up in the form of home detention in electronic surveillance, the court will thus be beyond the requisitions of the prosecution, which had asked, in November 2022, four years in prison, including a farm, For the producer, and 150,000 euros fine for his company, without counting the damages to pay to the victims.
“Assassin!” Shouted, at the end of the hearing, the sister of one of the victims who, cornered by the flames, had jumped from the balcony of 4 e floor. The second deceased had been found burned in her apartment. “For the victims, the simple fact that my client is there, alive, while their loved ones are deceased, it is unbearable, suits the defense lawyer, Emmanuel Mercinier-Pantalacci, in front of an impassive Serge Bromberg, black shirt, Dark costume, dark mask on the face. My client would have taken twenty years that it would not be enough, that’s normal. “
Défense Défense
Understanding does not fully mask dismay in the defense camp. While waiting to obtain the motivations of the judgment-text which can take some time to be produced, often beyond the period of the ten days granted to appeal, M e mercinier-pantalacci decided to do in a conservatory way. “We know the trouble, but not the reasoning adopted by the court, explains the lawyer. When we defend himself, people think that we are denied. If Mr. Bromberg does not dispute his responsibility in this drama, and that he is fully aware of the consequences that these facts have resulted in, it is important to us that it is understood. We want to verify that we have been well heard as to the shortcomings of the National Cinema Center. “
Decognized guilty of involuntary homicides, involuntary injuries, endangering the life of others and involuntary destruction of goods by fire, Serge Bromberg appeals “only public action”, specifies his council. In terms of compensation, the civil procedure will continue on June 9 before the compensation center for bodily injury.