Of the restaurant Le Mess, only the walls and still smoking beams remain. In the aftermath of the fire that ravaged the prestigious establishment, near Castillet, in Perpignan, the chef testifies this Sunday, August 28, and shares his sadness. “It’s a disaster, we’re hungover this morning, we’re trying to put things back in order“, loose Julien Hermida, who intended to reopen the restaurant on Monday.
“It’s a whole project that is collapsing”
The restaurateur remained on site until 4:30 a.m. to attend the intervention of the firefighters. “Everything is devastated and when we left, the firefighters were focusing on the main beams, which hold the building up to ensure that it does not fall.“, describes Julien Hermida. An analysis of the structure of the building will also be carried out this Sunday to check the solidity of the walls. Cracks have already been reported on three facades, including the main one which overlooks Place de Verdun.
Firefighters warn of the risk of collapse, which is why a security perimeter has been set up around the site. A specialized unit is expected to clear the rubble in the restaurant. The Amorino glacier is also completely devastated. In total, these are 28 people who are technically unemployed.
The cause of this fire is still unknown.. “We do not understand, there will be an investigation. No hypothesis is ruled out. The restaurant was closed, we were there during the day, we were preparing the new back-to-school menu“, explains the restaurateur, who was to reopen the establishment. The fire did not cause any injuries, but significant resources were deployed to contain and control it. Sixty firefighters, supported by a ladder and lances to fire.