Pollution
Humain
Environnement
Economique

A powerful deflagration followed by several explosions, heard more than 3 km away, and a fire happened during the transfer of pyrotechnic substances (fireworks) temporarily stored in a barn using a delivery van. The bodies of two adults and one child were found amidst the building rubble. A house and the entire stockpile of fireworks were destroyed. The local gendarmerie and an expert appraiser performed an investigation in order to determine the origin of this accident. As specified in the pertinent regulations, unspent fireworks due to poor weather conditions were to be returned to the manufacturer. The head of operations at the site was well experienced. The accident may have been due to an igniter neglected on a rocket that would have been triggered when exposed to a shock or equipment design flaw. Pyrotechnic experts generally note that fireworks must be handled with extreme precaution, especially once the steps of assembly and coordination have been completed, as these serve to significantly modify the initial product characteristics, primarily their sensitivity.