A fire struck the Jonzac fire station, located in Charente-Maritime, during the night from Friday to Saturday. Fortunately, no firefighters were injured and the equipment was taken to safety. Although this incident took place, the emergency service continues to operate normally thanks to a temporary reorganization within the municipality.
An unexpected event in the middle of the night
The disaster broke out around 2 a.m., mainly affecting the first floor of the structure, particularly the firefighter living area. This could have caused serious injuries, but fortunately the team present managed to remain calm and react appropriately.
Rapid and efficient emergency response
The seven firefighters on duty at the time of the fire quickly began to remove all the rescue equipment of the threat. They benefited from the rapid assistance of around 50 firefighters and 12 additional vehicles which made it possible to limit the fire to one living area of 150 m².
A temporarily relocated emergency center
Following the fire, the emergency center was transferred to a gymnase communal which will serve as an operational base for at least two weeks. The president of the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS), Stéphane Villain, and the director of the service, went to the site to assess the extent of the damage.
The challenges of the current situation
The Jonzac barracks are made up of 27 professional firefighters and 48 volunteers. In 2023, it will have carried out around 1,600 interventions. However, this center is one of the oldest in the region and a reconstruction is planned, although no precise timetable has been established due to the budgetary constraints of the departmental community.
Useful resources for preventing fires
To ensure everyone's safety and reduce the risk of fire, it is essential to take preventive measures. Discover these useful articles to avoid fires at home: 3 mistakes in your bedroom, household appliances, and space heaters.
