A fire ravaged the entrance to the Vigan-Braquet leisure center, in Bagnols-sur-Cèze (Gard), this Wednesday, November 6. The investigation confirms a voluntary act. A temporary reception solution has been put in place for the children.
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A fire broke out this Wednesday, November 7, 2024, in Bagnols-sur-Cèze, in the Gard. The flames destroyed the entrance to the Vigan-Braquet leisure center. Fortunately, no children were present when the fire started. It was only when an employee arrived on site, around 7:10 a.m., that emergency services were notified. “He called the director, the fire department and the police”explains the Childhood Youth coordinator, Family and Solidarity Center of the city, Bruno Harfi.
The fire was apparently started from a garbage container, as Bruno Harfi states: “We found in the ashes a piece of steel that came from a container wheel. We are missing one in the inventory, so there you go.” Fortunately, the rapid intervention of the emergency services made it possible to save the leisure center.
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An investigation, led by the Bagnols police station, was opened to determine the causes of the fire. The fire would have been started deliberately, explains the police. Jean-Christian Rey, president of the Gard Rhone Agglomeration, expresses his incomprehension. “We are dismayed. It will take several months of work to restore everything”he explains. “This center had no problems. Inside there was nothing of value, just games and equipment for the children.”
The center usually welcomes 88 children every Wednesday. Following the fire, the town hall reacted quickly. A temporary solution was found to rehouse the children. They were welcomed at the Célestin-Freinet nursery school, located a few minutes away. “In two hours, everything was in place for the children”specifies Jean-Christian Rey.
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The economic damage from the fire is estimated at several tens of thousands of euros, explains Bruno Harfi. “Fortunately, there were no injuries, the children had not yet arrived”he emphasizes. For him, it is a shock to see this place damaged.
