The violent fire which destroyed more than 80 hectares in Nefiach and Millas, west of Perpignan (Pyrénées-Orientales) caused considerable damage.
“To date, the amount of damage to individuals is estimated at 3.5 million euros, including a residential house completely ravaged by flames.
And in this envelope, we do not count the damage caused to the public domain, in particular the roads whose tar has melted and which will have to be redone.
Not even the cost of the assistance undertaken to fight the fire, ”explains Patrick Vila, the mayor of Nefiach, the most affected municipality.
He was burning scrap metal
A family lost everything in a matter of minutes. "This Sunday, you had to be crazy or totally unconscious to light a fire on a plot in the middle of the scrubland while a strong wind was blowing around 70 km / h", continues the mayor who does not take offense. The alleged arsonist is a 48-year-old scrap dealer from Perpignan, completely unknown to the inhabitants of the village of Nefiach. This Sunday, he was burning scrap metal that he had stored on the wasteland of one of his cousins. He was arrested on the spot the same day. Placed in police custody, this man, with no criminal record, was indicted for destruction and involuntary injuries.
🔥 Pyrénées-Orientales: A major wildfire broke out in the afternoon in Néfiach near Perpignan.
He is still progressing at the moment
(📹 Chris Du Sixsix) https://t.co/2FQNYhiqIV pic.twitter.com/EtvUA5sPNa
- Alexandre (@alex_le_bars) July 18, 2021
For 24 hours, the SDIS 66 engaged considerable forces to limit the spread of the tongues of fire and to protect the dwelling houses (More than 300 people were evacuated in the 2 communes): 250 firefighters were engaged in ground in this war of fire, plus 6 canadairs and 2 dashs.
Eight firefighters were injured, including one who is still in intensive care at the Perpignan hospital center.
