Four hundred people evacuated from Polygone in Montpellier due to a store fire
A fire broke out in the C & A store, located on the upper level of the Polygone shopping center in Montpellier, leading to the rapid evacuation of four hundred people. Emergency services, including several fire engines, quickly responded to control the incident. The fire caused a massive mobilization around Place de la Comédie and temporarily disrupted access to part of the shopping center.
Incident sequence
On Wednesday, May 28, at around 11:15 a.m., a fire broke out in the premises of the C & A ready-to-wear store at the top of the Polygone shopping center, near Place de la Comédie in Montpellier. The store’s location under the glass roof posed particular challenges in managing the fire. The evacuation was carried out in a coordinated manner by staff following current safety protocols. Emergency Evacuation and Emergency Response A total of 400 people, including both employees and customers, were safely evacuated from the shopping center. Cleaning staff were the first to alert employees and visitors, which enabled a quick and orderly departure. One employee, still in shock, described the speed of the alert: “We were told we had to leave quickly—at first, we took it a little lightly, then we saw the entire center evacuated.” Firefighters mobilized and tools deployed
The scene saw the rapid arrival of several fire engines, including a turntable ladder and a fire engine, strategically parked at the foot of the Polygone office tower. The location of the fire required the intervention of Enedis to ensure the safety of the surrounding electrical installations. First responders were also stationed on the forecourt of the Échelles de la Ville, facilitating a rapid and coordinated response.
Reactions and Safety Measures Taken
The natural flow of visitors and the rapid flow of emergency services were interrupted by immediate security measures. Access on the Antigone side was closed by the police, using barrier tape to control the security perimeter. While awaiting authorization to return, many employees gathered in front of the main entrance, anxiously awaiting more precise information on the state of the store and the fire. Gradual Return to Normal
About an hour after the incident, at 12:30 p.m., the Polygone underground parking lot was once again accessible, with a dedicated exit on level -4. Operations to evacuate smoke and secure the area continued, marking the beginning of a return to normal for the city center’s retailers and visitors by late morning.
To learn more about similar incidents in Montpellier, see this article on
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