“Thanks to the generosity, kindness and mobilization of the Beynois, we regained hope and this gave us the courage to face this ordeal.
After seeing their house go up in smoke, they start to smile again.
This fifty-something couple, who prefers to remain anonymous out of modesty, lost everything in the fire that ravaged their pavilion in the Val des quatre gables district on Wednesday in Beynes, a village of 7,600 souls.
"It happened around 4 pm, he was working in the office, she was in the garden," says Marie, their neighbor.
The fire started with the roof and as it is a wooden frame it was very fast, in a quarter of an hour it was over.
»Philippe Le Coustour, deputy mayor responsible for community life, is on duty that day.
He remembers the scene of decay when he arrives there.
“There was nothing left except their car in front of the house.
"
"When I see that, I am proud to be Beynoise"
Spontaneously, the whole village is mobilized.
Some offer to host them one night, others to give them food.
Clothing, furniture, basic necessities, household appliances, household linen, the victims of the fire have nothing left.
The next day, the Beynes town hall published a message on social networks to organize mutual aid.
“In the hour that followed, people called us to offer us furniture, refrigerators and even trucks to transport them,” reports Philippe Le Coustour.
We lent a room held by elected officials because we consider that this is our role.
"
A drawing of a village child in support of the victims of the fire.
DR DR
The Georges-Carlu room is requisitioned this Friday at the end of the day for the inhabitants to bring their donations.
“Some people came with clothes they had washed and ironed, others bought duvets and pillows,” describes Marie.
There are even artisans who offered to do work for free.
It was very moving, in these moments people refocus on the essential things.
When I see that, I am proud to be Beynoise.
"
See also Bonneuil: outburst of solidarity for Jacques and Michèle after the fire in their car
The operation must be repeated every day of the following week at the municipal hall. But to everyone's surprise, this single two-and-a-half-hour slot is enough to meet the emergency. The mutual aid is such that the other announced collections are canceled. "I think they have clothes for two years," says the deputy mayor. It's heartwarming, there are so many that we're going to donate to The Red Cross. "And to add on the subject of the destitute couple:" Currently they are lodged with relatives but the search for an apartment has almost succeeded. "
