| The Regent miraculously emerged from the inferno filling her apartment early this morning, steaming and singed but substantially unhurt. The fire was first reported by neighboring apartments on level two, who were reporting the persistent smell of smoke at approximately 3 a.m.
Members of the Regent's Security Staff were successful in forcing entry to the apartment, only to be driven back by heavy smoke, flames and intense heat from inside the apartment. The Regent, who was conscious inside the apartment and had been attempting to escape, was able to make her way to the entry hall where she was dragged to safety by her Security Team. |
The complete lack of automatic fire suppression controls within the apartment, the lack of a fire alarm from the apartment and the rapid growth of the fire all lead to the conclusion that the Regent has just survived a third assassination attempt. The authorities are obviously investigating the incident as a crime, but have not released any information regarding potential suspects or any claims of responsibility by any terrorist organizations.
The Regent was transported to the Regina Trauma Center for treatment of her burns and a full medical evaluation. She remains at the hospital in stable condition at this time. |
| In a scene unusual for Regina, a crowd has formed outside Regina Trauma Hospital, waiting for news of the Regent's condition. Many of the people holding vigil outside the hospital have brought flowers, which are stacked in rows outside the building. Corina's faithful have also placed a number of lit candles near the piled flowers. Many of the crowd are sporting red shirts, apparently in reference to the scarlet color of Corina's dress at the Regent's Formal Ball. One man who was wearing the red shirt said " I might as well be here, because that's all I'd be thinking about, wherever I am." |
A number of the crowd stated that they intend to remain in their places until the Regent is discharged or until she appears personally to tell them to go home. During the early morning hours, while the news of Corina's injury was just filtering out, one of the hospital staff came outside to plead with the people who were arriving, to keep the noise of their crying and praying down, so that the Regent - as well as the other patients at the hospital, could rest and make a faster recovery. The nurse also told the crowd that the Regent's injuries were not life threatening, which probably did the most to quiet them. |
