According to Benjamin Costantini, bourgmestre FF present on site, the disaster took in a filtration system at the exit of an oven. “With the heat, the fumes from the fusion pass into filters designed to retain polluting particles, before rejection in the atmosphere. A technical incident, without human error, caused the conflagration of these filters.”
Four workers tried to turn off the start of fire. “Three of them were slightly intoxicated to CO₂ and transported as a precaution. A fourth was a little more affected, but his injuries remain minor”reassures the Andennais.
The alert was given around 9 a.m. Large reinforcements came from all the barracks in the rescue area. The firefighters had to open the oven on several levels to access all the affected areas.
No risk of spread has been noted. “The fumes visible in the vicinity are linked to the merger still in progress in the ovens. There is no concern, but it will take time to lower the temperature”specifies Benjamin Costantini.
Part of the factory, not affected by the flames, began to be reintegrated by the workers.
The fire is consumed slowly and remains under surveillance to avoid any recovery. The damage will however require work before a complete resumption of activities.