“There is a risk of floors collapsing”, according to firefighters

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In the city center of Metz (Moselle), an impressive fire broke out in a building located on rue Ambroise-Thomas, a few steps from the cathedral, Sunday November 17, 2024.

The next morning, the fire was masteredmore forty firefighters and one ten machines emergency services were still mobilized at 11:30 a.m., according to Lieutenant-Colonel Gaël Zimmer of the Moselle fire brigade headquarters.

Hot spots to be treated and apartments to be cleared

The objective is “to continue to treat residual homeshot parts, at the cellar level and on the upper parts of the buildings,” explains the lieutenant-colonel.

Operations also focus on clearing of apartments. The idea is to remove everything that has burned in the homes to prevent a new fire.

“We will be here all day, then we will consider arrangements for the night,” continues the lieutenant-colonel.

“We have risks of collapse, particularly of the floors”

The intervention is long, first of all, because of the need to secure the premises, according to the lieutenant-colonel: “We have risks of collapse, particularly of floors wooden. Once they have heated and taken on water, they are weakened.”

So before hiring the teams, access must be secure : “We are in the process of installing ropes fixed to the walls and to which the staff will attach themselves in order to be able to descend into the cellar.”

Added to this risk of collapse is paths complexes. In these old buildings in the city center, the basements have very large volumes: “It is an L-shaped cellar with different wooden stairssome have collapsedso the paths are complicated.”

Not to mention that the height of the cellars leads to a build-up of heat very important, according to the lieutenant-colonel: “The first pairs engaged were blocked after five or six steps, because the heat was too great.”

Preserve stores

Operations of water pumping are also underway to facilitate access and avoid worsening the condition of the apartments and shops on the ground floor.

“We installed tarpaulins to preserve working tools as much as possible. The tarpaulins worked perfectly on the bookstore and the music store,” assures the lieutenant-colonel.

A “village” located on the Place d’Armes

Next to this intervention on rue Ambroise-Thomas, a real village has been established on the Place d'Armes.

There is all a “logistical support” part : “That is to say, taking our staff into account when handing over. Everyone is seen by a nurse or firefighter doctor to do a health check and then allow them to eat and get dry,” explains the lieutenant-colonel.

Rescue teams from across the Moselle mobilized

THE rescue teams from across the Moselle are mobilized on this fire. This mobilization makes it possible to permanently ensure continuity throughout the department and avoid only hiring staff from the Metz metropolitan area.

“We must also prepare to always have another fire,” explains the lieutenant-colonel. Yesterday, while we were mobilized here, there was another fire in the Metz area. It is this system that allows us to always have the same quality of operational response.”

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