Route du Théâtre closed, Dash 8 engaged, a major vegetation fire has been mobilizing emergency services since the beginning of the afternoon in Saint-Gilles. Six hectares of vegetation were affected by what appears to be an intentional fire. 15 hikers were evacuated.
SG/DP
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Published on November 6, 2024 at 5:39 p.m.,
updated November 6, 2024 at 6:21 p.m.
Several hectares of vegetation on fire, a road cut to allow emergency services to intervene, the civil security Dash 8 mobilized. A major brush fire has been causing significant disruptions around the RD 10, Route du Théâtre on the heights of Saint-Gilles since the beginning of the afternoon.
According to a recent report established by the SDIS, six hectares of vegetation were affected. Three separate outbreaks were observed, suggesting human-caused fires.
“Obviously, these are voluntary ignitions” indicates Colonel Frédéric Leguilier, departmental director of the fire and rescue service contacted by Réunion La 1ère.
In addition, fifteen hikers trapped by the fire had to be brought to safety.
The fire broke out this Wednesday, November 6 at around 2 p.m. in the Bassin Cormoran sector, leading to the mobilization of a large fire brigade. Advancing along the edge of the road, the fire justified the closure of the road, between the Eperon roundabout and Chemin Summer.
Given the difficulty of accessing homes, the civil security water bomber plane, the Dash 8, was engaged and carried out two drops on the affected areas. Currently, ground resources are addressing the risks of propagation. Around fifteen firefighters are on foot at work.
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©Imazpress
The fire, still ongoing with significant smoke, as well as the ban on driving on the main road, are generating significant traffic jams in the area. According to our information, no homes are threatened at the moment.
