This Thursday and Friday, the Matelles elementary school in Hérault was closed. In question: the fire in an adjoining garage which could have released asbestos dust. While waiting for the test results, the children stayed at home.
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It was a message on the Facebook page of the Matelles town hall which announced it yesterday: the elementary school of this town of nearly two thousand inhabitants located on the outskirts of Montpellier is closed for two days. Families who can are encouraged to keep their children at home. At issue: the fire in an adjoining garage on October 31, during the middle of the school holidays. According to our colleagues from Midi Libre, the town hall filed a complaint for this disaster which destroyed two vehicles.
A roof fire near the adjoining school library. However, the latter could contain asbestos. Analyzes are therefore underway. In the meantime, as a precaution, the 215 students at the Paulette Martin school are kept at a distance. Those who cannot stay at home due to lack of childcare are accommodated in other premises.
In application of the precautionary principle and by the nature of the materials burned, additional analyzes by a specialized organization must be carried out.
Facebook message from the town hall of Matelles (Hérault)
The municipality specifies, however, that educational continuity “will be implemented by teachers as soon as possible“. Depending on the results of the next analyses, courses could take place remotely.
This closure decision was taken in agreement with the academy inspector in the face of what is described as a “force majeure“. Monday, the start of the school year went normally after the fire which affected the outdoor room adjoining the school library last week.
The first analyzes were reassuring regarding the CO2 content of the ambient air. But it was decided to carry out additional surveys to definitively ensure that no asbestos dust was released. Because the presence of this carcinogenic insulation, known for its toxicity on the respiratory system, remains to be determined in the roof of the school library.
Carried out this Thursday, the results of these additional samples should be known this Friday evening. This involves ensuring the quality of the air within the establishment. According to the mayor (SE) Alain Barbe, the first analyzes contradict the presence of asbestos in the library.
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