the fire is out but still under surveillance

This is the event that has marked the last 72 hours. Sunday, November 17, in the morning, a small fire broke out in the cellars of a building on rue Ambroise-Thomas in Metz. Exceptional event, exceptional device since more than 140 firefighters and 71 engines were engaged during the operation. Discover in pictures 24 hours of fighting against the flames!

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5 p.m. – Testimony. The fire is now out. But around twenty firefighters will still be on site tonight to monitor the four-story building. For what ? We take stock with Arthur Barbieux Roth, commander of relief operations.

10 a.m. – Securing the premises. This Tuesday morning, firefighters intervened to secure the building to allow tenants, relocated elsewhere, to collect some belongings.

Tuesday November 19th ⤴️

6 p.m. – On watch for the night. The firefighters managed to progress this afternoon into the cellars of the building. Nearly 20 firefighters will be mobilized tonight and Tuesday, November 19 to monitor the scene. The area is only accessible to pedestrians to access the shops. Investigators will be on site in a few days to determine the origin of the fire, which is still unknown at this stage.

12 p.m. – Clearing in progress. Firefighters continue to make progress in the cellars of the building. A particularly delicate operation. They also secure the premises by ensuring the stability of the floors to avoid the risk of firefighters falling. At the same time, clearing operations in the damaged apartments are underway. The burned items are thrown into dumpsters.

9:30 a.m. – The fire is under control. The situation is stable but the fire is not considered to be out. The frame of the building collapsed on the 4th floor, which became inaccessible. Six apartments on rue du Palais suffered the most damage, and remain out of use. The businesses on Rue Ambroise-Thomas are closed. The sector is closed until Tuesday, November 19.

7:00 a.m. – Difficult wake-up call. This Monday morning, there are still around ten firefighters fighting against outbreaks in the cellars and upper floors of this building. The fire has not restarted but hot areas should be monitored.

Monday November 18 ⤴️

9 p.m. – The night shift sets up. The mobilization continues. Nearly 30 firefighters will be employed throughout the night to bring the fire under control. A supply cell has been set up at Place d’Armes, in front of Metz town hall.

6:30 p.m. – Firefighters continue to put out the fire. The device is reinforced in particular by a lifting arm to flood the building through the roof. A large-scale operation which attempts to minimize damage in both stores adjacent, the Hisler bookstore and the Didier violin maker. A team of firefighters are covering the interiors to protect what can still be protected from water and heat. The human toll was 5 lightly injured, including 2 firefighters.

6 p.m. – Testimony. The fire in a building in downtown Metz is still not under control. Lieutenant Colonel Mickaël Schmitt, officer of the departmental fire service, takes stock of the situation.

4:15 p.m. – Emergency meeting. The firefighters worked with the victims to accompany them as quickly as possible to their respective homes in order to recover some belongings.

14h20 – The fire started again. The flames now extend to the roof of the building. John Paul II Square is urgently evacuated.“We are in the presence of a sneaky fire in an old building. All the elements come together to complicate our task.« confides François Vallier, departmental director of the Moselle fire and rescue services. Many firefighters, off duty this Sunday, were called in for reinforcements. In total, more than a hundred firefighters were mobilized and 48 engines were engaged to try to bring the fire under control. The maneuvers will undoubtedly continue this night.

13h15 – A complicated situation for the firefighters. Lieutenant Colonel Mickaël Schmitt, officer of the departmental fire service, takes stock of the situation. While the origin of the fire is still unknown, the prefect of Moselle, Laurent Touvet, as well as the mayor of Metz François Grosdidier, thanked the firefighters and the police for their commitment.

4 a.m. – Fire starts. This Saturday, November 16, a fire spread to the basement of a building on rue Ambroise-Thomas in Metz. It was also the municipal police officers who noticed these toxic clouds in an air ventduring a night patrol. This is how the firefighters were notified. Around twenty people were evacuated from their homes by firefighters and municipal police officers from Moselle. Residents were welcomed by the town hall at 4:30 a.m. last night, before families joined their loved ones. Three minor injuries are taken care of by emergency services.