Fire in the city center of Metz: the town hall issues a safety order, the building is closed to the public

This is a confirmation that comes at a bad time, a few weeks before the end of year holidays. The stores in the historic city center of Metz, affected by the fire which broke out declared on the night of Saturday 16 to Sunday 17 November, will not be able to welcome customers until further notice. The town hall in fact published a safety order on Friday November 22, after an expert visited the building victim of the flames.

Thus, the building located at 21, 23, 25 and 27 rue du Palais is prohibited from access and occupation. This thus affects part of the Hisler bookstore, but also the residents of the building, who can no longer return to their apartments. According to the expert, the roof may indeed collapse. “We cannot allow people to be in these premises, let alone the public being in these premises,” summarizes Hervé Niel, deputy mayor of Metz in charge of security.

But there is still hope since, “on the side, there is the gift side in the Hisler bookstore”et “From there, there is no longer much danger and according to the expert, it is something that can be exploited”explains the deputy. “You can work there occasionally“ concludes Hervé Niel. “The operators can go there, but they cannot open it to the public”he summarizes.

This decree allows 15 days after receipt to purge the roof elements which risk falling from the building on rue du Palais. Work to support the cellars and vaults under the building is also necessary.