A fire occurred yesterday at around 13 hours, in an annex building of the medical-educational Institute Barandonne in Pont-Saint-Esprit. About twenty firefighters led by Lt. Martin were on hand to contain the fire. The intervention required the mobilisation of two pump tonne vans, a vehicle with a nacelle and an ambulance dispatched from Barjac (07). The fire started in a room on the first floor, in the southern part of the building. Arson or accident? For the moment there are no particular leads. The military from the gendarmerie one of whom a technician in criminal identification, were also on hand to make the initial findings. A team of GRDF [gas company] was also the scene of the fire prevention.
The building is a former mansion acquired by the General Council of Gard. Since 1973, it has been a medical-educational institute for Wards of public education. Premises used for accommodation were then created in the park attached to the residence. The building affected by the fire serves as an annex and the floor where the fire broke out as a storage place for residents’ material. Catherine Charavel, director of the centre, explained yesterday that the fire broke out during the lunch break. The building was unoccupied. There was therefore no evacuation, nor injuries.
[Translated by Act for freedom now]
