Fire chief writes formal thanks for Corsica croissants

An Occitanie fire chief has written a personal and formal letter of thanks to an Haute-Corse boulangerie after it refused payment from his firefighters during the August wildfires.

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A group of 68 firefighters from the Tarn, Aveyron and Tarn-et-Garonne were in the Haute-Corse from August 12-16, assisting local emergency services during the serious forest wildfires over the summer.

In need of refreshments, the group is said to have visited the La Fougasseria boulangerie in Calvi, on the morning of August 13, reports French news source 20 Minutes.

And yet, despite trying to pay, the firefighters were then told everything would be on the house, as thanks for their work in helping the region.

The generosity did not go unnoticed to the group’s fire chief, who wrote a formal letter of thanks, which has now been published.

Addressed to “Madame, Monsieur le Directeur of La Fougasserie” and printed on official Tarn Sapeurs-Pompiers headed paper, the letter explains:

“The agents charged with organising the logistics of this [group] let me know that you did not charge them for their viennoiseries (pastries) when they came to buy them.

“[We are] extremely touched by this gesture, and I would like, on behalf of the 68 firefighters...to offer you my sincere thanks”.

It is then signed by Commandant Philippe Cnocquart, fire chief of the group from August 10-17.

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