AND HERE IS THE NEWS…

….a quick glance at the latest local news with Caroline Manson

Man saved from burning house in Pia

Firefighters were called out to a house fire in the centre of Pia at 4am on Saturday, to rescue the occupant.  The fire had started on the lower floors of the three-storey property and the 84 year old resident had taken refuge upstairs.  The firefighters had to cut through the metal security bars of the windows to extract him from the house, from where he was evacuated to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.  The house was completely destroyed.

Hot summer nights – record broken

Apart from the odd occasion when the high temperatures were broken by welcome rainstorms, June has been a warm month, and particularly in the evenings.  For 4 consecutive nights (June 25th – 30th) the temperature has exceeded 24.4 degrees at 2am.  A meteorologist at Météo France says this is unusual even in peak summer, and is the first time it has ever happened in June.

Brush fire in Villelongue-dels-Monts

Late on Saturday afternoon a brush fire broke out in the vicinity of Villelongue-dels-Monts.  Immediately 131 sappeurs were mobilised, as well as the water helicopters.  The fire was controlled in less than two hours and, despite the strong gusts of the Tramontane, only three hectares were burned.

‘Death of Nahel’ protests reach Perpignan

Saturday night was the 4th night of rioting in France after the death of 17 year old Nahel in Paris, and for the 2nd evening in a row, security was ramped up in Perpignan to prevent possible disturbances to public order.  Incidences started from 8pm – a lone man threatened the police with a gun, later in the evening 5 people tried to rob the Lacoste shop in the historic heart of town, many firework mortars were fired in the Clodion city, two vehicles were burned in the Bas Vernet district, and there were several rubbish bin fires at the foot of Le Castillet and on Boulevard Kennedy.  A total of 13 people were arrested.

Roadworks on Collioure/Port-Vendres tunnel

The 750m long en Raxat tunnel, which connects Collioure to Port-Vendres, will be closed twice for essential works during July.  The head of the Argeles-sur-Mer Road Agency accepts that this is bad timing but says that it was not possible to schedule the dates at any other time and it is to prepare future work.  During the works cars will have to travel via the RD114, not ideal in the middle of summer…

Not enough rain to end the drought situation

June was rather a wet month in the P-O – but not wet enough according to the authorities.  Perpignan received just 12.4mm, 47% less than the average.  On a more positive note, in Vinça it has never rained so much in June before, and the reservoir is now at maximum capacity again (nearly 25 million m3).  This is now enough to feed the channels used by the agriculteurs, and also makes it possible to fill up Lake Raho.  The ‘State of Drought’ has been extended to at least July 25th.

Traffic accident on A9

On Thursday afternoon a collision occurred between two vans on the A9 motorway near the Catalan Village rest area.  The two drivers involved were said to be only ‘slightly’ injured, but the reason this story made headlines was because one of the vans was a Vinci Motorway patrol van.  This is the 26th patrol van to be hit this year, and apparently the second in a 24 hour period.  A manager for the Vinci Autoroute network says the situation is deplorable and that it is essential that drivers are more aware and follow the suggested speed limits when approaching areas where their operatives are working.  The vans are bright yellow and the areas are generally sealed off with highly visible traffic cones.

And finally…

If you are looking for the ultimate guard dog, Mike could be the dog for you.  He is looking for a loving home with a firm owner as he is retiring from the Perpignan Canine Police dog team at the age of 8 years old (no mention of a pension).  He is a Belgian Malinois who loves nothing better than chasing criminals and sniffing out contraband – so if you are a drug smuggler or arms dealer, perhaps best not to apply….