An investigation opened after the fire in Canet-en-Roussillon, the first observations have been made

Following the fire in Canet-en-Roussillon (Pyrénées-Orientales) which caused the evacuation of 3,000 holidaymakers from the Mar Estang campsite on the night of Sunday 18 to Monday 19 August, an investigation is underway to determine the causes of the fire, France Bleu Roussillon reported on Monday evening.

The flames burned two hectares of vegetation and a mobile home was destroyed. The Perpignan prosecutor’s office opened an investigation on Monday to determine the origin of the fire. It was entrusted to the gendarmes of the Perpignan research brigade. With their colleagues from Canet and criminal investigation technicians, they carried out the first observations at the scene of the fire.

The public prosecutor’s office has also activated the Catalan investigation unit specialising in fires. It brings together police officers, firefighters, forestry technicians and land use planning officers.

For the moment, we do not know at all whether it was accidental or criminal, we only know that the flames started in the reeds, at the edge of the Canet pond, 100 meters from the Mar Estang campsite and that the tramontane wind which was blowing at 80 km/h carried the fire to the campsite.

The 3,000 holidaymakers evacuated from the campsite were able to return to their accommodation. Eleven people were medically treated for smoke inhalation or anxiety attacks related to the evacuation. Among those slightly injured were two firefighters. The director of Mar Estang also indicated that a psychological unit was set up all day Tuesday for the campers.