A86 in Paris open again after blaze

A SECTION of the busy A86 in Paris has finally reopened following a major warehouse fire yesterday forced it to be closed and cut off the rail link between the capital and Charles de Gaulle airport for several hours.

The stretch of autoroute between the A3 and the interchange with the A1 remained still off limits earlier today as firefighters damped down the smouldering remains of the warehouse.

Smoke was still rising from the gutted remains of the 10,000m2 textile and shoes warehouse in an industrial area of La Courneuve this morning, but conditions have now been deemed good enough for the A86 to reopen in both directions.

Spectaculaire incendie dans un entrepôt à la... par leparisien

Meanwhile, the RER B line, which serves Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport, between Gare du Nord and Aulnay-sous-Bois reopened after several hours. Officials say services are running as normal today.

A total 40 appliances were sent to the scene early yesterday afternoon. Authorities ordered the closure of the A86 and the RER B line at 3.15pm.

Incendie à La Courneuve, les images... par leparisien

A spokesman told France TV Info that smoke, driving by variable winds, was badly affecting visibility around the A86, and the rail line was cut to ensure water used to contain the fire did not short electrical lines.

More than 100 firefighters were still on site at 9.30pm - and it is expected that some will remain at the scene for several days. No injuries have been reported and all staff working at the building were safely evacuated.

Image: Le Parisien screengrab