the fire was fixed overnight from Sunday to Monday “after a long struggle”, nine firefighters injured including a serious one

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The fire which broke out on Sunday July 31 around 3 p.m. in the town of Aubais, in the Gard, was fixed “in the second part of the night, after a long struggle”, says Commander William Borelly, in charge of communication for the Gard firefighters. To fight against this fire, 670 firefighters were mobilized.

The fire, which took place not far from a recycling center in a forest of pines and holm oaks, covered 370 hectares, explains William Borelly. The 417 firefighters and 129 vehicles that remained on site will now tackle “to drown the entire perimeter of the fire” to avoid resumptions, explains the firefighter. A job that “will take several days”he says.

In all nine firefighters were injured, one of them seriously but on Sunday evening “his vital prognosis was not engaged”indicates his colleague, who is waiting for a “more complete medical check-up in the morning”. Three others were slightly burned, they were also hospitalized for treatment, while five simply suffered from a “heat stroke” according to Lieutenant-Colonel Éric Agrinier, spokesperson for Sdis du Gard, responding to France Bleu Gard Lozère.

Two houses were “affected”while two sheds and a mobile home were “destroyed” by the fire, also indicated Commander Borelly, who added that “dozens of dwellings have been preserved thanks to the action of aircraft and ground resources” . All those evacuated on Sunday were allowed to return to their homes on Monday morning. Otherwise, “we do not know the origin of the fire, the investigations of the gendarmerie will continue” this Monday.

Part of the Gard was placed on vigilance on Sunday “extreme” with respect to fire risk. The fire cut off traffic on the A9 motorway for more than three hours between Gallargues and Lunel, before resuming at the end of the day.


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