A strong ammonia-like smell in the basement of Le Cèdre Bleu, a Lebanese restaurant on Boulevard Albert-Ier in Monaco, led to an extensive emergency response on Monday morning…
An employee, feeling unwell from the odour, called emergency services around 9:30, prompting Monaco’s fire brigade to send approximately fifteen firefighters and six specialised vehicles, including the light intervention unit focused on technological risks, to the site.
In a precautionary move, nearby premises were also checked for any potential hazards. The neighbouring Carrefour Market was evacuated for 30 minutes to ensure the safety of its staff and customers. Firefighters used specialised detection and measuring equipment to identify the substance and assess any associated risks. The employee was taken to the Princess Grace Hospital as a precautionary measure.
Preliminary assessments suggested that the odour was caused by a malfunction in the restaurant’s ventilation system, possibly related to ozone use in refrigeration. Firefighters ventilated the area to dilute the gas before refrigeration technicians arrived to address the issue.
The emergency intervention concluded shortly after 13:00, allowing all affected premises to resume their regular activities. This incident highlights the swift and thorough response of Monaco’s emergency services in ensuring public safety amidst unexpected hazards.