The fire which affected the Magnanville shopping center, abandoned for several years at the end of the day, did not only devastate a building.
He deeply angered the mayor of Magnanville.
Five years ago, Michel Lebouc (DVG) pronounced the administrative closure of this dying equipment built in the 1970s. He denounced, at the time, the lack of security of the premises.
His decision was deemed exaggerated.
The facts today prove him right.
"The firefighters warned me that in the event of a fire, the ceiling could collapse," explains the elected official.
This is what they found on Sunday when they intervened.
The roof can sag at any time because of the disaster.
It is a real danger.
I said it then, I say it more vividly today and it makes me all the more angry.
"
Magnanville, Monday morning.
The places are regularly squatted.
Mehdi Gherdane
Started Sunday shortly after 4 p.m., the fire did not destroy the center but it greatly weakened the premises.
About fifty firefighters intervened for several hours.
The last of them left the scene on Sunday shortly before midnight.
A dangerous place, too easily accessible
The thick dark fumes were seen for tens of kilometers.
There would have been several fireplaces according to the mayor, which supports the thesis of a criminal origin.
A scenario supported by similar facts, last week, when three fire starts had already been recorded without however triggering a fire.
Magnanville, archives.
The center, shortly before it closed.
(LP / MG)
It must be said that this disused shopping center is not secure.
It is not complicated to break in and any squatter can take refuge there without fear.
It's even easier since Sunday night.
This Monday morning, several hours after the intervention of the firefighters who had to cut some gates, the buildings are open to the four winds.
With the risk that they will quickly turn into a playground ...
Set of private premises, Mag 2000 forms a joint ownership of more than 5,000 square meters over which the mayor has no power.
In theory, it is up to the co-owners to take security measures.
“But the trustee is gone and I myself today am unable to say who manages these places.
They didn't do anything for years.
There are thugs among them, ”moans Michel Lebouc, who is considering the adoption of an endangerment decree in the coming days in order to prohibit access to the center.
