Fire on the Seine embankment: Le Chansonnier narrowly saved

A serious fire broke out aboard Le Chansonnier during the night of 4 to 5 January. The barge is moored on quai de la Tournelle in the 4th arrondissement. Alerted at around 11:30 p.m., Paris firefighters arrived after the flames had already spread through part of the interior.

The boat was ultimately saved by a narrow margin. Several crews worked for more than an hour to contain the fire, prevent it spreading throughout the structure and secure neighbouring vessels. The blaze was under control shortly after 1 a.m.

No one was injured. Le Chansonnier was empty at the time and was being renovated as a cultural venue. It suffered extensive damage, particularly in the kitchen area and to some of its technical installations. The hull and much of the structure were nevertheless preserved.

Initial findings favour the theory of an accidental gas leak. Investigators must still determine the exact point at which the fire started.

The owners praised the firefighters, whose intervention prevented the boat’s destruction. They say they intend to resume work once the safety assessments have been completed.