Overview

• At around 3:00 AM on June 13, a methane pipeline ruptured and ignited a fire in a rural area east of Saint-Martin-de-Crau.
• Emergency crews deployed roughly 180 firefighters and 56 vehicles to combat flames that scorched about five hectares before being extinguished by 7:30 AM.
• Approximately 120 nearby residents, including agricultural workers and families, were evacuated as a precaution and 47 were sheltered in the local communal hall.
• Authorities reported no injuries or damage to homes and confirmed there is no risk of toxic fumes from the methane combustion.
• NaTran, the pipeline operator, isolated the line to halt the leak and expects to restore gas deliveries to affected industrial clients within hours.