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🇫🇷 France /Disasters & Emergencies

Gironde fire chief denies abandoning Le Porge for Cap Ferret stars

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Gironde's fire chief refutes claims that firefighting resources were diverted from Le Porge to the more affluent Cap Ferret during a major wildfire.
  • Residents of Le Porge, which suffered significant damage, felt abandoned while resources were allegedly prioritized for Cap Ferret.
  • The fire chief stated that resources were moved for medical and logistical support, not to abandon firefighting efforts, and emphasized that saving lives was the top priority.

Marc Vermeulen, the chief of firefighters in Gironde, France, has strongly denied allegations that firefighting resources were deliberately diverted from the village of Le Porge to the upscale Cap Ferret peninsula during a devastating wildfire. Residents of Le Porge, which saw 183 of its 240 homes destroyed, expressed feelings of being "sacrificed" as the fire raged.

There was no diversion of resources to fight the fire.

— Marc VermeulenThe fire chief's direct refutation of claims that firefighting means were misused.

Vermeulen acknowledged that there was movement of resources towards Lacanau and Lège, communes on the Cap Ferret peninsula, but clarified that these were primarily medical teams, fuel trucks, and sanitary support. He insisted that these movements did not constitute a diversion of firefighting equipment or personnel directly engaged in combating the blaze. The chief admitted that this maneuver might have caused "misunderstanding."

We never abandoned Le Porge.

— Marc VermeulenAsserting that the village remained a focus despite resource movements.

A controversy erupted in Le Porge, fueled by rumors that influential individuals on Cap Ferret had intervened to protect their properties. Vermeulen dismissed these claims, stating he is not involved in social circles and received no pressure from any authority. He asserted that the primary objective during the crisis was to save lives, and all lives hold equal value, regardless of a property owner's income.

Yes, there was movement towards Lacanau and Lège... But (a movement) of doctors, fuel trucks, sanitary support, etc. There was no diversion of resources to fight the fire.

— Marc VermeulenExplaining the nature of the resource movements and reiterating they were not for abandoning firefighting efforts.

While acknowledging the residents' concerns and the loss of homes, Vermeulen highlighted that there were no civilian casualties. He also pointed to a preliminary assessment indicating that 90% of the threatened structures were preserved. Addressing criticisms about the initial response to the fire, which started on July 22 in Saumos, he detailed the rapid deployment of firefighting units and aerial support, defending the actions taken and expressing frustration over what he called an "unjust trial" against the fire services, especially in the wake of a recent tragedy involving firefighters.

I hear the questions.

— Marc VermeulenAcknowledging the concerns and questions raised by affected residents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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