the fire under control and the arsonist in custody

ARDECHE FIRE. The fire in Ardèche has been under control since the night of Thursday to Friday but it is not yet extinguished. The arsonist admitted to having voluntarily started the fires while in police custody on July 28.

[Mis à jour le 28 juillet 2022 à 9h14] The fires are brought under control in Ardèche after burning 1,200 hectares of vegetation. The work of the firefighters has borne fruit and has enabled residents and tourists to reach their accommodation. The firefighters still have to put in some effort before they can talk about extinguished fires, but the hardest part of the battle is behind them. Thus “some 150 firefighters will remain mobilized on the ground” indicated the commander of the emergency operations of the departmental fire and rescue service (SDIS), Jean-Philippe Ladetdans, on the night of Thursday to Friday July 29, as reported it The world.

While the fires are controlled by the firefighters, the arsonist responsible for the start of several fires out of the twelve that broke out finally “acknowledged the facts of which he is accused” after contesting them, explained the public prosecutor of Private. The author of the fires is a 44-year-old man who “presented a significant alcohol level during his arrest” according to the prosecution. This July 29, he must be presented before an investigating judge of the Privas court. “More precise hearings will come to draw the outline of his responsibility for all the fire starts”, she specified, in remarks reported by The world Other people were in custody yesterday as part of the investigation into the origin of the fires.

Images of fires in Ardèche

The fires, which progressed at high speed in Ardèche, were captured in images and videos by firefighters and residents. The images show impressive flames and columns of smoke.

What is the toll of the fire in Ardèche?

In Ardèche, the fire has destroyed 1,200 hectares since Wednesday July 27, 2022. During the operations, four firefighters were slightly injured. No casualties were reported and no homes were destroyed or threatened by the fires. The fire is now fixed, but the firefighters remain vigilant, assures Jean-Philippe Ladet, commander of the SDIS rescue operations. Friday “is a day where we will have to move forward a lot,” he explained, fearing winds that could fan the fire this weekend. Firefighters continue to extinguish “a few small fumaroles”.

What is the origin of the fires in Ardèche?

A 44-year-old man is at the origin of the fires in Ardèche. He admitted the facts after being confronted with several testimonies. Indeed, he was arrested at the wheel of a vehicle which had been identified by different people at the scene of fire starts. The prosecution specifies that the suspect “presented a significant alcohol level during his arrest”, reports France Blue Ardeche. It will be presented before the investigating magistrate of the Privas court on Friday July 29, 2022.