Fire in Tarn-et-Garonne: the restaurant catches fire on the eve of the Christmas holidays

The appliances and blinds melted. The immaculate white of the tablecloths and orchids is now veiled by a black coat. And that pungent smell, typical of smoke. This Thursday, at the end of the night, a fire broke out in the kitchens of the restaurant Les Gorges de l'Aveyron, commune of Bruniquel. At the same time, the owner of the premises, Pierre-Henri Vidal, was sleeping in his apartments in the basement of this building in R + 4. “I got up around 6 o'clock and I could see absolutely nothing because of the smoke. But I didn't want to leave,” admits the chef who of course immediately raised the alarm.

Therefore, seventeen firefighters were dispatched to the site to contain this disaster which could be the result of a short circuit. Maybe the microwave, maybe the dishwasher or the fridges. In any case, the restaurant is clearly out of service and this Friday morning, the Gorges de l'Aveyron team is trying to save what can be saved. Not knowing much.

“Everything is ruined, it’s a disaster. We will have to redo the floors, paint, shampoo everything, repaint, restore the paintings, refurnish the bedrooms above, re-equip the kitchen… The soot even attacks the silverware,” laments Pierre-Henri Vidal, returning from the hospital where he was placed on oxygen for 6 hours following his poisoning.

Law of series

Right next to it, the beautiful tree that he had put up for the end of year celebrations seems to stare at him. “We were full at the restaurant and the hotel for the entire vacation… But at this time, people come first to eat and then to sleep. I'm going to have to cancel everything. »
His bitterness is all the more palpable since last July, the president of the Union of Hotel Trades and Industries (UMIH 82) saw his summer reception room, located in the park of the establishment, being smashed by a tree which was located on the edge of RD 115. Dirty series law.

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A tree falls on the restaurant reception room

“I can't even fall back on this room since the Department teams have still not come to cut down the tree even though it is their responsibility¹. But no one responds to my requests even though it is still an emblematic establishment of the territory [ouvert en 1993]. I already had one knee on the ground but now I am dead,” sighs Pierre-Henri Vidal who nevertheless had the comfort of receiving a message from Vincent Roberti, prefect of Tarn-et-Garonne. “I hope he succeeds in making things happen. »

While waiting to make the decisions that will be necessary, or not, for his six employees this winter, the hotelier-restaurant knows he can count on his insurer. “He thinks it will take 3 to 4 months but we will leave! » So to all those who want to support the Gorges de l'Aveyron team, the best gesture to do for Christmas is still to buy the right gifts² which will allow, on sunny days, to enjoy this establishment which will, without doubt, be reborn from its ashes.

¹ When questioned, the departmental council replied: “The file is in the hands of the insurance companies of the two parties concerned”.
² Contact : lesgorgesaveyron.com