A fire is raging in Sérignan on Tuesday evening, August 27, in a waste recovery depot. According to the firefighters on site, it will take several days to completely extinguish it.
This Tuesday, August 27, a major fire broke out near Sérignan, near Béziers. A waste recovery depot went up in smoke. The first flames appeared around 6:30 p.m.
“In the beginning there was nothing”
Two young children, about ten years old, tell us: “We passed by, there was a tiny bit of flame. Nothing at all!” And they show a video taken on the spot. And indeed, there was just one or two square meters of flames. Then, the whole dump went up in flames. A little later, around 9:30 p.m., the two kids were still there taking pictures. The boy on his scooter, the little girl on foot. “It’s huge,” they say. “Everything is on fire and the heat it gives off. It’s impressive. Plus there are lots of explosions.” Like many, many onlookers, they were fascinated by the gigantic fire contained by about sixty firefighters from the Béziers, Valras and Sérignan fire stations. And indeed, explosions were regularly heard. Each time, causing the people positioned closest to them to retreat. But who were moving very quickly towards the fire a few moments later.
Nearly two hectares already burned
Jean Pierre Amarger
According to our information, nearly two hectares of bales of waste are currently ravaged by the flames. Leaving thick and acrid smoke. Firefighters expect to work on this fire for a long time. “When we say a long time, it’s not just tonight. It’s tomorrow, and maybe several more days,” insists a firefighter.
As in 2019
The disaster, as in 2019, broke out at the Sérignan waste disposal site where final waste is deposited, ready for recovery. “In 2019, we were unable to put out the fire. There was only one solution left, to bury the fire to smother it. That is what we expect to do. Now, we have to contain it. Nothing more. Once the flames are gone, the fire will still smoulder.”
Ce Tuesday, August 27, all the access roads to the vineyards around the Véolia center were stormed. Like in a Drive In, people were at the show. Taking souvenir videos, photos from their vehicles. A real fair, without control where everyone could, as they pleased, approach the firefighters’ site, who themselves recommended moving away. Nothing worked, some even arrived on foot from Vendres located far away for a night out.
