At around 2:15 p.m., in a waste recycling centre, a fire broke out in a 4,000 m² semi-open hangar containing compacted plastic and cardboard bales. A large plume of black smoke was visible from several kilometres away. Explosions could be heard, probably due to aerosol cans. Traffic was slowed down on the nearby railway line. Residents were advised to remain confined inside their homes. Measurements taken did not indicate any toxicity in the smoke.
Fanned by a strong Mistral wind, the flames spread to three other storage hangars (one 4,000 m² and two 3,000 m² hangars). Emergency access to the buildings proved to be very difficult due to the high amount of heat. The flow rate provided by the fire hydrants was insufficient. Water had to be pumped from the Rhône River. The fire reached the nearby river port and destroyed a 4,000 m³ wood storage facility. A hundred firefighters fought the fire for 3 days.
In all, 11,000 m² of buildings were destroyed (waste storage hangars and an administrative building), as well as about ten heavy handling machines. The 40 employees were technically laid off, and operating losses amounted to 20 million euros. The fire also devastated 5,000 m² of scrub near the port. The site’s retention basins proved insufficient, and the overflow made its way to the river.
The spread of fire was facilitated by the bales of plastic and cardboard stored between the various hangars to a height of 5 to 6 m. This abnormal accumulation of waste also hindered rescue efforts. The accumulation was due to strikes at other waste treatment sites in the surrounding area.
Following the accident, a prefectoral emergency measures order was issued requiring the operator to:
- implement site security (prohibition of reception of any new waste, evacuation of burnt waste, permanent monitoring);
- take daily samples to monitor air quality around the site;
- take samples to monitor groundwater quality around the site;
- perform an environmental and health impact study of the disaster.
The site had already had a fire in 2008 (ARIA 34736) and 2012 (ARIA 43169).
