Concrete Aggregate Plant Reduced to Ashes
“Five separate fires broke out”: Arson is the leading theory following a violent fire at a concrete aggregate plant in Ariège
On the night of Tuesday, April 21, a major fire reduced a Denjean Group concrete aggregates plant in Saverdun, Ariège, to ashes. The plant was completely destroyed following several simultaneous fires that appear to be the result of arson.
The damage at the industrial site is extensive, and the production facilities have been completely destroyed. “We estimate the damage at between 15 and 20 million euros,” said Philippe Calleja, mayor of Saverdun. In particular, the conveyor belts and the main tower went up in smoke. The company and local authorities estimate that it will take one to two years to restore operations.
At the same site, “five sites where fires started were identified, leaving little doubt as to criminal intent,” the mayor added. The Denjean Granulats industrial site in Saverdun had already been the target of an arson attack last year.
District Attorney Olivier Mouysset confirmed in a statement that the accidental cause “appears to have been ruled out.” He states that legal proceedings have been initiated “on charges of destruction of another’s property by an organized gang using means dangerous to persons (carrying a potential sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment).” He also notes that the investigation has been entrusted to the Toulouse Criminal Investigation Division and the Pamiers Investigation Brigade, which will be working jointly on the case.
France3, April 22, 2026 (excerpt)