The fires that have been ravaging France since the start of the summer have now claimed one life. “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Chief Warrant Officer Martial Morin of the CIS from Tain-l’Hermitage ’, announced on Wednesday 27 July the Drôme Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS 26) on Twitter.
The 54-year-old man, who had been a volunteer firefighter for twenty-four years, had been called in as backup on 14 July to put out the fire that had broken out in the Montagnette massif, south of Avignon, near Tarascon (Bouches-du-Rhône), after a freight train had passed.
Heart attack
At the end of his day, at around 5 o’clock, he complained of “ sore throat ” and “ extreme tiredness ”, explained the Bouches-du-Rhône Fire and Rescue Service. He was then placed under observation and, given his condition, transferred to Avignon Hospital for further tests. These revealed that the firefighter “ was suffering from a bacterial infection of the epiglottis ”, the management of SDIS 26 announced. He was admitted to the intensive care unit and died on Monday afternoon following a heart attack, according to the same source. He had two children, including a son who is also a volunteer firefighter.
Addressing the Senate, the Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne addressed “all condolences to his family and loved ones, and ‘once again, the dedication of our firefighters, military personnel, law enforcement officers and local authority staff, who are our everyday heroes ’. The Minister for the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, also shared his “ deep sadness ” on Twitter.