What's New in Chamonix?

Last night (Tuesday) a fire broke out in a small derelict building on the Rue des Moulins, one of Chamonix's landmark streets on which many of the town's most popular bars are situated. This is the fifth major fire to hit Chamonix in almost as many years, the worst being that of the Mont Blanc Tunnel when 39 people were killed. Luckily no-one was hurt in last night's incident - the bars were relatively quiet with it being so early.

At around 9.30pm the alarm was raised as the fire and smoke began to spread into Cybar and Dick's which share a wall with the building which was ablaze. Built almost entirely of wood it wasn't long before these buildings were being destroyed.

Following a change of wind direction the fire then headed back on itself and consumed the Guides du Mont Blanc's building, again an old wooden town house.

Although the fire-crews were on the scene almost immediately (the fire-station is just opposite) the time taken to start fighting the fire had already allowed it to spread. The crews have had to battle all night to put the fires out. This morning they were busy pulling down roofing to secure the area.

Other bars which will have been affected by smoke and water damage include Bar du Moulin and The Queen Vic. At first glance Le Bureau Internet café looks like it might have escaped damage, although it forms part of the same complex.

No doubt CSI Chamonix will follow the evidence to find the cause of the fire which we will report on in due course.

Photo credit: Simon Hutchings