The Montpellier prosecutor said this Wednesday that the fire in Aude, which traveled 17,000 hectares, “could have a criminal cause”.
The Montpellier prosecutor announced this Wednesday, August 13, that the fire last week in Aude and which traveled 17,000 hectares “could have a criminal cause”. In a press release, he indicated that, according to “investigations of gendarmes and specialized services”, “any natural cause is excluded”.
“These same experts believe that in view of the conditions of this start of fire, he could have a criminal cause resulting from a voluntary act”, according to the Montpellier prosecutor. The latter warns that “this first expertise necessarily requires being confirmed by additional investigations”. An investigation was opened on August 6 to clarify the circumstances of the disaster.
More than 500 firefighters still mobilized
The fire, which traveled 17,000 hectares, was under control this Sunday after destroying 36 houses. A 65 -year -old woman died in her house. An investigation into this death is underway.
“We also deplore two seriously injured, as well as several light injured people including twenty firefighters,” lists the Montpellier prosecutor.
“A college of two investigating judges was seized given the human, environmental and material consequences of this fire,” said justice on Wednesday.
More than 500 firefighters are still mobilized on the ground, in order to intervene quickly at the slightest sign of covers, while Aude is still on red vigilance due to the risk of heat wave, with temperatures up to 36 ° C expected.