In the Pissevin district of Nîmes, businesses are struggling to get back to normal after the fire

L'incident est survenu dans la nuit du mardi au mercredi 21 août. Midi Libre – Pierre Meuriot

This Thursday, August 22, more than twenty-four hours after the fire in Pissevin that ravaged an unoccupied butcher's shop and bakery, causing damage to neighboring buildings, including the new police station, businesses are timidly trying to resume their activities.

More than twenty-four hours have passed since the fire that ravaged the butcher's shop and bakery, affecting the neighboring police station, in Pissevin, on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, August 21.

This Thursday, August 22, the atmosphere remains heavy, imbued with palpable tension. The neighborhood, still marked by the events of the day before, tries to come back to life, but the activity is far from being that of an ordinary day.

A difficult opening for businesses

At 1 rue Weber, where the explosion shook the central square, some businesses have tried to reopen, but the atmosphere is gloomy. The halal Chicken’chips restaurant, usually frequented at lunchtime, is almost deserted. "For the moment, there is no one there , people are afraid. I might close. It’s hell", declares the father of the manager, absent, visibly shaken by the situation. The once lively terrace is now an empty space , symbol of the uncertainty that hangs over the future of the establishment.“We might close for a week, depending on the clientele”, he adds, visibly affected.

A few meters further, the Vent des Sables hair salon has nevertheless opened its doors, despite the gloomy atmosphere. “I insisted on opening yesterday despite recent events and today too”, explains the manager of the establishment who did not wish to comment further. On site since yesterday morning, at dawn, the national police continue to secure the area while the work of experts continues to determine the exact causes of the incident.

On site, the national police continue to secure the premises. Midi Libre – Pierre Meuriot

“I'm a little disgusted by what's happening”

The driving school instructor at Trait d'Union, a neighbor of the butcher's shop and bakery, expresses his discouragement at the situation. “I'm a little disgusted by what's happening. The more incidents like this happen, the less people want to come. Behind this, it is the businesses that are suffering", he laments, emphasizing the direct impact of this violence on the local economy. "I was in favor of opening the police station. When there is security around my workplace, it reassures."

While some businesses are timidly reopening their doors in the Trait d'union sector, the neighborhood remains marked by an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear. Still in shock, residents and shopkeepers here are waiting for answers on the causes and responsibilities of this incident which has further weakened their daily lives.