Fire broke out around 2:40 am in a plant producing charcoal in bags and briquettes, but the alarm was only sounded at roughly 5:40 am by a gendarme patrol after noticing smoke. Some 30 fire-fighters had the fire extinguished by 9 am using 4 nozzles.

This fire was spread by the rubber belt on a packaging line conveying charcoal from a loading hopper. The layout of buildings remained intact, but the electrical cabling and various rubber elements had to be replaced. The sorting device and bagging station were also damaged, as was the calibration tower and weighing device. Neither the output nor the inventory sustained a loss. Response workers spread out the pile of charcoal using a loader and maintained surveillance for a few more hours in order to avoid re-ignition.

The onsite presence of water tanks proved highly beneficial for fire-fighters and led to an efficient intervention. Outdoor lighting however was inadequate and the video surveillance system inappropriate. The fire detection system was under-designed and had to be revised. The operator studied the possibility of installing fire prevention systems on the conveyor belts. Regular drills were scheduled with fire-fighters. The fire broke out at night, during one of the only periods when the plant was closed and the site unoccupied. Conclusions from the insurer’s appraisal underscored the deliberate nature of this fire. The operator anticipated hiring a permanent site caretaker.

Production resumed following repair works at the end of May 2010.