A firefighter was injured in an explosion during a protest in Bordeaux, France. According to local firefighters in the Gironde department, the incident occurred on Rue Sainte-Catherine, a major commercial street in the city. The firefighter was struck by an explosion caused by an aerosol can that was thrown into a fire. Images from the regional newspaper Sud-Ouest showed a jet of flames rising and engulfing the firefighter before he turned back to receive assistance from his colleagues. The incident took place amid a public sector strike on September 29, during which dozens of young protesters had gathered. They were part of a broader movement demanding better working conditions and services in the public sector. In a statement, Sophie Brocas, the prefect of Gironde, strongly condemned the actions that endangered the firefighter. "The firefighter was transported to the hospital and returned to his station in the afternoon. He has several days of work interruption," she said. "No demonstration can justify putting those who assist the population in danger," she added. Another report suggested that the firefighter was responding to a situation near a high school that had been blocked during the protest when he was hit by the explosion of a pile of burning waste. The details of how the waste came to be ignited remain unclear, but the incident has raised concerns about the safety of emergency workers during demonstrations. Authorities have called for calm and emphasized the importance of protecting those who serve the public. The firefighter’s condition is currently under review, and further details about the incident are expected to be released in the coming days.