Packages of fireworks caught on fire during their loading into a metal container. Three technicians were moving boxes containing fireworks into a larger container. The boxes placed on pallets were then conveyed to the neighbouring storage depot by forklift. While arranging a box at the bottom of the container, one of the technicians heard a thud and saw a white glow emanating from this particular box. The fire quickly spread to all boxes in storage. Ignited elements were then projected, causing fire to spread to the surrounding vegetation. The staff closed the storage depot doors, protected the pallets in the queue by means of sprinkling, and then responded to the vegetation set ablaze. A total of 65 boxes of fireworks, i.e. approx. 400 kg, were destroyed, as were the container and forklift. A cypress hedge located 50 m away was burnt.

A shock or friction caused the fireworks to ignite inside the packages. The operator proceeded by: prohibiting the use of an igniter not fitted with a protective cover, wedging the parts contained inside the boxes, and systematically short-circuiting the electric igniters prior to their assembly. The operator also reminded technicians to handle the boxes with great care and decided to choose a loading dock slot by taking into account the risk of propagation created by projections of ignited products.