Firefighters

Firefighters, postal workers, rubbish collectors: Alert on calendar scams in France

Many professions offer calendars at this time of year - but not all sellers who visit your home are genuine

Firefighters’ strike over work rules is 'unprecedented’ in France

Nine unions unite over protest action for first time

Plane scrapes through narrow village streets in south of France

The retired water bomber was being taken to be displayed

practical

Homeowner sues French fire service over blaze in his garden

He claimed firefighters did not do enough to prevent reignition of a fire in a nearby field

Resident and environmental fears after French lithium warehouse fire

The fire has now been contained but residents and environmental campaigners have condemned the situation as ‘very severe’

Chemical accidents, airport standby: 10 duties of French ‘pompiers’

We look at the varied roles of ‘sapeurs-pompiers’ (firefighters) and how they keep us safe

La Poste, fire service: where does money from calendars go in France?

The calendars are traditionally sold at the end of the year - we look at where your donations go

Fire at French wildlife park home to bears and big cats

Around 170 firefighters attended the scene and all animals and workers were evacuated

How to become a volunteer firefighter in France

Fire stations are always looking for volunteers and the selection criteria is less strict than you might imagine

Strangers’ kindness and three other good news articles from France

We also look at how Japanese rugby fans cleaned up a stadium after a match and a group of fishermen’s determination to save a blue lobster from the plate

Village tries out AI cameras - and stops 8 fires in south of France

The technology, which is also in use in the US and Canada, takes photos every five seconds and monitors for changes

Positive news from France: our pick of feel good stories

We look at how a golden retriever is helping children to read more confidently, a boy who saved his mother and a father-daughter bike ride for charity

Major fire breaks out at grain silos on France’s west coast

Smoke from the blaze in La Rochelle could be seen from the neighbouring Vendée department

Deadly French holiday home fire: Gîte ‘had not passed safety checks’

Eleven people were killed in the blaze

Roads closed, divers called: Fake crocodile dupes French town

Emergency crews were called to find a crocodile in the Dordogne river… but it turned out to be a plastic replica

First large fire of year destroys 130 hectares in southeast France

Eight people were evacuated and five properties needed to be ‘protected.’ The cause is as yet not known

Beware the Christmas firefighter calendar scam, say French police

Bogus door-to-door marketers don false costumes to sell fake calendars to an unsuspecting public

French man rescued after falling down hole while checking water meter

His wife found him after he did not come back. He was slightly dizzy but unharmed

Volunteer firefighters to get enhanced status in France says minister

The interior minister made the announcement as part of further plans to improve conditions for the profession, after an incredibly challenging summer

48 people arrested this summer accused of starting wildfires in France

Suspects are from ‘varied backgrounds’; most are men, and some have mental health issues. Summer 2022 saw a record number of hectares destroyed

Wildfires: New Charente blaze draws suspicion as Gironde fire settles

Connexion reporter Brian McCulloch reports concerns about a serial arsonist in the Charente as a new blaze destroys hundreds of hectares of forest

Gironde wildfire update: 1,200 locals evacuated, 3,600 hectares burned

Strong overnight winds worsened the blaze but the 900 or so firefighters on hand have been able to keep property damage to a minimum

540 people evacuated, homes burned in new south-west France wildfire

Police suspect the cause to be down to human involvement and an investigation has been opened into the origins of the blaze, which has burnt around 1,800 hectares of forest in Gironde

‘Big cat’ captured in eastern France is a Savannah cross

The unusual cat breed was reported after acting aggressively, and has now been captured by the Office français de la Biodiversité

French volunteer firefighters should get more money, authorities say

After a record summer for wildfires, France’s departments are stressing the need to make firefighting a more attractive prospect for volunteers

600 firefighters battling to contain new wildfire in south of France

The Bouches-du-Rhône blaze is not yet under control but no homes are thought to be at risk

26 people questioned by French police over starting fires this summer

One high profile case involves a volunteer firefighter from Hérault who now faces a lengthy prison sentence

We must prepare homes now for flash floods, says French fire chief

Intense hot weather often leads to storms and heavy rainfall, which causes floods when landing on dry, hard ground

France’s wildfires rage on as minister warns of more to come

The interior minister has said that fires could continue to flare up for a further six weeks. Reinforcements arrive today from around Europe

Gironde fire update: 10,000 people evacuated, blaze still spreading

One resident said she had had to cram ‘40 years of life’ into the boot of her car in 30 minutes as she hurried to escape

Homes destroyed as south-west France wildfire reignites overnight

The fire near Landiras (Gironde) is spreading rapidly. The A63 motorway is being closed due to the smoke. Firefighters say they face a day of ‘high risk’

3,000 people evacuated as wildfire spreads in southern France

The Aveyron fire has not caused any injuries. Hundreds of firefighters are at the scene to tackle the blaze this morning

Brittany, Dordogne, Isère: evacuations as new wildfires hit France

Arson is suspected in some instances with one mayor saying: ‘We seem to be witnessing a challenge over who can create the biggest fire; it’s worrying’

Second volunteer firefighter arrested over fires in south of France

The 33-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he admitted starting one of the fires in Hérault this month

Nine firefighters injured tackling new wildfire in south of France

The blaze in Gard is now under control ‘after a long fight’ overnight, firefighters have said, but the area is still on ‘extreme alert’

Volunteer firefighter arrested for Hérault fires: What we know so far

Local residents are in shock after the man arrested for setting several fires in the south of France has been revealed to be a local councillor and father-of-two

Arson suspected in two wildfires in southern France

Separate fires in Ardèche and Hérault are now the subject of criminal investigation (although there is no suggestion that they are linked)

New wildfire in south of France: 800 hectares burnt, arson suspected

The Hérault fire is not yet under control but it is no longer progressing, say authorities. Hundreds of homes have been evacuated

Trapped, injured or fleeing: the animals caught in France’s wildfires

While 1,000 animals were being moved from a Gironde zoo, a vet was visiting local communes to feed the pets of evacuated residents

French wildfires: situation stabilising but evacuees cannot return

The Gironde prefecture has said that the fires are now judged to be ‘contained’ but that not all the safety requirements have been met to allow people to return

Brittany wildfire started by local burning garden waste against rules

The fire threatened the historic Forêt de Paimpont but has been stopped. A larger Brittany wildfire - in the Monts d’Arrée mountains - is now also under control

People in Ile-de-France can smell smoke of Gironde fires 500kms away

Firefighters in the capital have urged residents not to worry unduly. Gironde’s prefect says that the department is today ‘starting to see results’ from effective new firewalls

France wildfires rage on: 20,000 hectares burnt, one arrest made

Investigators believe that the fire in Landiras may have been started deliberately. In all, 37,000 people and 1,000 zoo animals have been evacuated

Wildfires in France: Why is it so difficult to get them under control?

The two fires which are currently raging across Gironde are being fed by high heat, wind and dry vegetation, and difficult terrain is complicating firefighters

South-west France giant wildfires still spreading, situation worsens

Nearly 13,000 hectares have been destroyed and over 16,000 people evacuated

French wildfires continue: 7,000 hectares burnt, buildings damaged

The fires continue to burn in Gironde, but another fire which destroyed 300 hectares in south-east France has now been contained

More people evacuated as south-west France wildfires rage on

One fire has been ‘stabilised’ but not ‘controlled’. Today’s high temperatures of up to 40C and wind will make it difficult to continue tackling the flames

What is the origin of France's July 14 bal des pompiers?

Parties at fire stations are a long-standing tradition in France that officially began in 1937 when a group of people followed firefighters back from a fête nationale parade

Thousands evacuated as wildfires rage in southwestern France

More than 6,500 people have been moved away from campsites and villages and several roads are closed

70 evacuated, 620 hectares destroyed in new south of France wildfire

The blaze in the Gard department threatens to continue for several days despite almost 700 firefighters attending the scene

Almost 1,000 hectares destroyed in wildfire in southern France

The blaze is still ongoing although now less dangerous. Authorities say it is too early to tell if it was started deliberately

2,000 campers evacuated as forest fires break out in south of France

A fire brigade spokesman warns: ‘Right now, the whole of France could catch fire at any moment’

The all-night rescue of cow that fell into French home’s swimming pool

Firefighters had to empty the pool of water and spent hours attempting to get the animal out at the village property in the Dordogne

Forest fire risk in France: ‘Difficult’ summer predicted ahead

A fire colonel who helped put out an 80-hectare fire at the weekend said that the indicators of drought and risk of forest fires ‘do not look good’

French firefighter pilots plan strike ahead of ‘worryingly’ dry summer

The Canadair and Dash plane pilots say they are ‘sounding the alarm’ over pay delays and lack of recognition for the danger of their profession as wildfire risks continue

Homes evacuated: Dry weather leads to multiple wildfires across France

Blazes were reported in western, eastern and southeastern regions over the weekend. At least one is thought to have been started by a discarded cigarette butt

Fancy a fire engine? French firefighters launch online auction

The unusual lots include a working fire engine on sale for just over €1,100 and a Land Rover Defender with a starting price of less than €10,000

Eighth body found after building explosion in southern France

Investigators have opened an inquiry into possible arson after gas canisters were found nearby

One dead, three missing as building falls in explosion in south France

Five other people were rescued, including a mother and baby. Emergency services reported a strong smell of gas in the area

Gendarmerie warns of Christmas firefighter calendar scams in France

Workers traditionally go door-to-door selling calendars this time of year, but some have warned of scammers posing as workers to steal from vulnerable residents

British woman rescued from flames after explosion in French house

Residents of the Aude village of Bellegarde-du-Razès were disturbed by the blast on Friday night, and rushed to help the woman, who suffered burns to her body

Fire at metal plant in Ariège confines residents to their homes

Black smoke was seen coming from the Aubert & Duval factory this morning, prompting the prefecture to advise locals to stay indoors while firefighters dealt with the situation

Court rules not to pause obligatory Covid jabs for French firefighters

672 firefighters had applied to the European Court of Human Rights, invoking their ‘right to life’ and ‘respect for private and family life’

Passing drivers stop man as he tries to start a new fire in Var forest

Witnesses used bottles of water and floor mats to quickly extinguish the blaze, which the man started using a burning log

Bardot: Ban September hunting season in Var area hit by wildfire

The former actress and animal rights activist has written to the local prefect saying ‘nature needs to breathe’

Cigarette butt likely cause of fatal south of France wildfire

Investigators believe it started near a motorway rest area. The blaze has killed two people and firefighters are still battling to keep it under control in unfavourable weather conditions

Investigation into cause of Var wildfire begins as blaze slows

A bed and breakfast owner and one of his guests are believed to have died in the fire, which has travelled over 7,000 hectares. Its origin is being investigated with the help of aerial and CCTV images

New wildfires hit south of France, one death reported in Var blaze

Strong winds are making it difficult to quell two fires in Aude, while in Vaucluse 130 people have been evacuated and firefighting is affecting the drinking water supply; a death and a missing person are reported in the Var

Over 1,000 firefighters still tackling forest fire behind St Tropez

More than 7,000 people have been evacuated as the fire spread over 7,000 hectares of land. The local fire service chief says it is likely to be of human origin as it started near a motorway rest area

Thousands evacuated as fire rages over 5,000 hectares near St Tropez

Holidaymakers were removed from multiple campsites overnight. 700-750 firefighters are still working to control the blaze

French app alerts nearby volunteer first aiders in health emergencies

Anyone can download the ‘Staying alive’ app and get alerts to give medical support to people experiencing cardiac arrest in the vital minutes before firefighters arrive

Almost 900 hectares destroyed in huge wildfire in south France

The blaze is still not yet completely under control, with firefighters still on-site. A fire colonel suspects that the blaze was caused by a driver throwing a cigarette butt out of a car window

Huge fire in south France destroys 250 hectares but now under control

Firefighters are still in place and continue to keep close watch on the flames which required 170 people to be evacuated yesterday. The cause of the incident is not yet known

Three hurt as buildings collapse with nine inside in Bordeaux

Firefighters describe low injury toll as 'almost miraculous' after properties fell down

Twitter helps American in Paris find woman who saved husband's life

A passing stranger gave first aid to a jogger suffering cardiac arrest in a park but left before anyone could thank her