SAINT-VIGOR-LE-GRAND (14) 28.11.2013

On 28 November 2013 at 12:10 in Saint-Vigor-le-Grand (14), a driver heard a loud report and immediately saw a large flash of yellow fire surrounded by black smoke above a field. It disappeared quickly. Another person on an adjacent road seemed to look in the same direction then. No other account was collected. GEIPAN considers the sequence—bang, bright fiery light and black cloud—lasting less than 1 minute consistent with an explosive and/or illuminating flare; see the video of a signal rocket for a blank-firing pistol. The source of the launch cannot be determined. GEIPAN suggests it could have been the motorist on the parallel road who was also looking skyward. The case is classified B: illuminating flare.