Le Figaro Lyon
A fire alarm that does not work in the basement, a non-existent intervention plan and
“difficult or even impossible”
evacuation . The prefectural opinion issued on June 29 concerning the fire safety of the Halles Paul Bocuse is alarming for the million visitors who come to discover this temple of Lyon gastronomy each year. Nine months later, however, it has not given rise to any correction from the town hall, according to information from
Tribune de Lyon
confirmed to Le
Figaro
. A new prefectural letter dated March 26, which we were able to consult, thus renews the requests and reiterates the threat of closure.
Led by representatives of the city, the prefecture and the firefighters, the visit of June 29 resulted in an
“opinion unfavorable to the continued operation of an establishment open to the public”
, issued by the departmental sub-commission for safety against the risks of fire and panic.
“Significant dysfunctions have been identified in this establishment, and more particularly with regard to the smoke produced by the cells
,” recalls the letter of March 26. Precisely listed, these anomalies were the subject of 18 correction orders, according to our information.
“Difficult evacuation”
Prescriptions addressed to the Lyon town hall as the authority holding special administrative police power in matters of ERP (establishment open to the public).
“These requirements are all the more important as the configuration of the premises in the event of a fire favors the rapid spread of the fire and the absence of an emergency system makes the evacuation of the public and staff difficult or even impossible in certain areas”
, insisted the letter of July 20 that we were able to consult. The prefecture requested that a safety diagnosis be carried out and a fire safety manager appointed within three months.
Nine months later, neither is effective according to state services. The security assistant, Mohamed Chichi (EELV), recipient of the letters, assures that an office has been mandated to produce the security diagnosis, but
“it is slow to transmit it to us”
.
“We were told that everything was in progress but that there is administrative inertia”
, confirms to Le
Figaro
Claude Polidori, president of Halles Bocuse, following an interview with the city's technical services this Saturday. He adds that each of the 56 traders is up to date with respect to their own fire standards.
The Lyon town hall claims to have transmitted elements in the fall, lifting several requirements, in particular on the appointment of the security manager.
“On November 21, 2023, a report issued by the security commission maintained an unfavorable opinion, but it should be noted that the initial deadline of three months was not renewed
,” explains Mohamed Chihi to Le
Figaro
.
City departments nevertheless continued their efforts to quickly address the remaining safety commission requirements
.” The mayor's entourage maintains that the file was quickly investigated,
"all corrective measures are being processed"
and points to a
"will to harm on the part of the prefecture"
.
“This is an opportunity for the mayor to show that in the face of a disconnected State he will not let things happen
,” continues a relative.
The security assistant, Mohamed Chichi (EELV), recipient of the letters, assures that an office has been mandated to produce the security diagnosis, but
“it is slow to transmit it to us”
. Wikimedia/Benoît Prieur
A new deadline
“Because we do not compromise with the safety of users and traders of Les Halles, our teams immediately took all the necessary steps in order to be able to respond as quickly as possible to the findings of the security commission,”
reacted the mayor of Lyon, Grégory Doucet, by press release.
The historical attachment of Lyonnaises to this place, a showcase of our art of living, requires professional and rigorous work between our institutions. In our city, no one would understand this desire to harm each and everyone’s heritage.”
And to deplore
“the lack of desire for exchange between the State and the City of Lyon”
.
On the prefecture side, we note the patience shown on this particular file while the initial deadline was set at three months. One more month was granted for the appointment of the fire manager, two for the diagnosis.
“But we cannot make an exception compared to other establishments either
,” notes the entourage of the Rhône prefect, Fabienne Buccio.
We ask to have elements that give us perspectives.”
In its letter of March 26, the prefecture renews the threat of a possible closure. And calls for
“urgently regularizing the situation of this establishment which still presents a danger for the safety of the public welcomed”
. A hype that the president of Les Halles would have done well without, as the time for renewal of the concession approaches. The mayor's declarations of love will at least give him a little comfort.