Saint-Médard-en-Jalles mourns two firefighters killed in the line of duty

Saint-Médard-en-Jalles – July 22, 2026: One day after the deaths of two firefighters, Saint-Médard-en-Jalles is shrouded in deep mourning. The two professional firefighters from the city’s rescue center died in a major fire in Mérignac on Tuesday, July 21. They were trapped by the flames while on duty near Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport.

On Wednesday, local residents gathered in front of the Saint-Médard-en-Jalles fire station to express their grief. Many had seen the emergency responders around the city or at municipal events. Above all, people wanted to express their gratitude to the two men, who gave their lives while protecting the public and the forests of Gironde.

The deceased belonged to the Gironde Fire and Rescue Service, the department’s fire and rescue organization. Professional associations and municipal authorities confirmed their deaths and offered condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues at the Saint-Médard-en-Jalles fire station. The names Anthony Berthomé and Wilfried Schmitt were mentioned during several public memorial events.

The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon in Mérignac, at the border between an industrial zone and the airport area. Firefighters were battling a rapidly spreading and fierce blaze there. Authorities have not yet released a final account of the exact circumstances surrounding the two men’s deaths.

The tragedy occurred as Gironde’s fire service faces a tense forest fire season. High temperatures, dry vegetation, and changing wind directions frequently put emergency responders in dangerous situations. The incident in Mérignac once again shows that even experienced professional teams can face significant risks when dealing with vegetation and forest fires.

For Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, the loss is particularly severe because both men were important members of the local rescue center. The city administration and the firefighting community are now focusing on supporting the bereaved families and emergency responders. In this city west of Bordeaux, signs of public mourning marked the day.

Investigations and internal assessments into the course of the fire are expected to determine how the blaze developed and why the firefighters were unable to leave the danger zone. Until reliable conclusions are available, one fact can be confirmed: two firefighters died in the line of duty while fighting a fire near Bordeaux-Mérignac on July 21, 2026.