Major Industrial Fire Erupts Near Lyon Airport, Affecting Dépôt Benne Service
Colombier-Saugnieu, August 21 – A significant industrial fire broke out yesterday, Thursday, August 20, at approximately 11:00 AM, at the Dépôt Benne Service industrial site in Colombier-Saugnieu, located adjacent to Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport and the A432 motorway. The incident prompted a large-scale response from the Rhône fire brigade, deploying six fire hoses and approximately 50 firefighters with twenty vehicles.
Nature of the Blaze and Initial Response
The fire primarily involved highly combustible materials, including plastics, wood, and cardboard, stored at the facility. The site, classified as an ICPE (Installation Classified for Environmental Protection), saw the flames spread to an estimated 300 cubic meters of industrial waste. Despite its proximity, the fire and resultant smoke did not disrupt operations at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport, as confirmed by the Rhône prefecture.
Brigadier Antoine Dubois, spokesperson for the Rhône Fire and Rescue Service, stated, “Upon arrival, we were faced with a substantial fire involving a significant volume of industrial waste. Our immediate priority was to contain the blaze and prevent its spread to adjacent areas.”
Employee Evacuation and Economic Impact
All employees at the Dépôt Benne Service facility were safely evacuated, and no injuries have been reported. However, the incident has had an immediate economic impact, with 32 employees temporarily placed on technical unemployment. The company’s management has not yet issued a statement regarding the long-term implications for its workforce.
Ongoing Operations and Environmental Concerns
Firefighters have been working continuously since yesterday morning to bring the fire under control. While the main blaze has been largely contained, extinguishing efforts are expected to be prolonged due to the nature of the burning materials and the presence of smoldering pockets beneath the industrial waste. “The operation is complex and will continue for an extended period to fully extinguish all hotspots and fumeroles,” added Brigadier Dubois.
The fire presented a risk of spreading to nearby vegetation and adjacent storage facilities. Thanks to the rapid deployment and coordinated efforts of the fire brigade, this risk was mitigated. Authorities are monitoring air quality in the vicinity, although no immediate public health alerts have been issued.
Investigation into the Cause
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire investigators are expected to commence a detailed examination of the site once it is deemed safe. Preliminary assessments suggest that the fire may have originated in the area where industrial waste was stored, but no definitive conclusions have been drawn.
This incident highlights the challenges associated with managing industrial waste sites, particularly those handling flammable materials. Local authorities and environmental agencies will likely review safety protocols and waste management practices in the wake of this event to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The Dépôt Benne Service specializes in waste management and recycling, playing a crucial role in the region’s industrial ecosystem. The disruption to its operations is expected to have ripple effects on local waste processing capacities.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses and the full extent of the damage is assessed.
Source: actu.fr
