Here we see the Paris Fire Brigade in action- they’ve blocked off this road and are completing what can only be a daring rescue of a cat from a rooftop (well, do you seen any smoke from a fire)?
Rue de Lafayette, where this action is taking place, is a one-way street, so the local police department (the “Prefecture of Police“) only needed to block the road at one end.
But a lost cat isn’t the only reason for the Parisian police to close streets - a connecting lane behind the US Embassy has also been blocked at both ends.
Submitter DDA reckons this could be during a heightened state of security alert, France’s “Vigipirate“. Which, I was disappointed to discover, has nothing to do with vigilante pirates, but instead is a threat level indicator similar to the homeland security levels in the US.
However, where the American threat levels go from predictable green (safe) to red (danger) the French system skips out green to start at yellow, running up to red (danger) and then scarlet (even more danger)!
The increased security at the embassy could mean that when this picture was taken the French government had stepped it up to red level.
Thanks to DDA to Fred.
Locations: France / Categories: Buildings, Other Vehicles
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May 25th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Rescue a cat ? o_O
I clearly see a blackened zone on the rooftops in the center of the screen, and as several hoses (not sure of the word) are laying on the floor, I suppose these have been used. They’re now emptying them, and there’s no smoke because the fire is now out. As simple as that.
May 25th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
If the french for mustard is moutarde then why isnt the french for custard not coutarde?
May 25th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
If Prefecture de Police is Prefecture of Police, is Condoleza Rice Condoliza Riz in French?
May 25th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
The blue and green levels of te American threat indicator are just theoretical, as we have never been at either level. And the progression of Green -> Blue -> Yellow seems odd to me. “Yellow and blue make green” so it seems to me Blue should be the lowest level, then green, then yellow, orange, red, and finally scarlet.
May 25th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
In Paris case of large fire, police block the access to the site of the disaster to allow reinforcements and ambulances access.
I have seen this several times.
The American embassy is on the other side of the Place de la Concorde near the Hotel Crillon.
You can see the police car on the sidewalk (the white spot rectangular)
Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth
May 25th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
Even more danger than danger? That is some serious danger.
I also like the subtle tonal change from red to scarlet which isnt so much a change of colour and more of a seasonal trend. Tres chic.
May 25th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Popop : These are two different roadblocks, one with the firemen and the other near the embassy.
May 25th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Well, French firemen never get involved in Vigipirate, so I guess there’s another explanation for this situation.
May 25th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Well, this is France so most likely they’re just on strike.
On the other hand, you can see the fire hoses lying on the street in the first picture - I suppose they wouldn’t need them if they would just be saving a cat.