The government announced on Wednesday evening the death of Bertrand Pime. The volunteer firefighter, a former soldier and rural constable, had suffered severe burns whilst responding to the bushfire that has been ravaging Koumac since Tuesday morning. “Bertrand Pime is the first New Caledonian firefighter to lose his life in a fire,” noted Philippe Germain “with great sadness”. “On behalf of the Government of New Caledonia, I offer my condolences to Bertrand Pime’s partner, his children, his family and his loved ones,” wrote the President, adding that military honours will be paid to the firefighter, who will be “posthumously awarded the Medal for Courage and Dedication”.
“This tragedy, which has plunged an entire profession and the whole country into mourning, serves as a reminder to us all of the risks faced by those who tirelessly fight bushfires, the causes of which, sadly, are often due to carelessness or malicious intent,” states the press release, which adds that the public prosecutor has launched an investigation into arson or accidental fire resulting in death following the Koumac fire.
1,000 hectares gone up in smoke
The fire that broke out on Tuesday to the east of the Kokondo industrial estate – and which had destroyed 400 hectares of vegetation by late afternoon – continued to spread despite the efforts of the fire service. By midday on Wednesday, the total area of vegetation destroyed stood at 1,000 hectares. Given the adverse weather conditions, efforts to bring the fire under control are expected to be a long-term operation.