Fire in the heart of Metz: the town hall wants to “help traders so that they can continue their activity”

Encore several dozen firefighters were mobilized this Tuesday morning in Metz, on the fire in the building on rue Ambroise-Thomas, occurred during the night from Saturday to Sunday. Hervé Niel, the deputy mayor of Metz in charge of security, gave an update on France Bleu Lorraine: he indicated that an expert was going to come this Friday to assess the extent of the damage and say if the structure of the building was damaged. “Depending on what the expert says, we will be able to issue a danger order in order to do what is necessary to solidify the building.“, indicates the elected official.

On the origin of the flames, no leads are ruled out for now: “investigators can’t get inside yet” of the building.

“My fear was that the fire would spread to the covered market”

The flames, which had remained in the cellars of the building for a long time, then, in the middle of the afternoon, reached the roof of the buildingwith flames sometimes visible from afar. Hervé Niel was afraid of a spread, in this historic heart of Metz, a stone’s throw from the cathedral. “I will tell you very sincerely: my fear was that the covered market would be reached. Not through the roofs but through the cellars, that was the danger“.

If there is no not have spread, it is thanks to two elements determining factors, according to Hervé Niel: “The collaboration between municipal police and firefighters on the one hand, and their efficiency on the other. It was the municipal police who noticed abnormal smoke emanations. They showed calm, notified all the residents and called the firefighters, who were extremely quick. I would like to congratulate them once again“.

The town hall is currently in the process of search for premisesso that businesses affected by this disaster “can continue their activity“. These are the Hisler bookstore, the luthier Didier, and two clothing stores. In the meantime, “it is out of the question to return to establishments, and out of the question to allow customers to come.“Traffic restrictions must be redefined this Tuesday, in particular allowing traffic corridors for pedestrians. a few days before the opening of the Christmas marketsthis Friday.