Limoges town hall fire contained as prosecutors investigate

The fire broke out on Saturday 17 October as protests against the cost of living took place in Limoges and across France. By Sunday morning, firefighters were extinguishing the last embers at the town hall, according to Maurice Barate, the prefect of Haute-Vienne. The blaze was contained, he said, but had not yet been fully extinguished. [1]

The prefecture described the 19th-century building as largely destroyed. Regional broadcaster Alouette reported that its roof and bell tower had collapsed. Limoges mayor Guillaume Guérin said the city would work to maintain public services. [2] [3]

Barate said the fire had been set deliberately. According to the prefecture’s account, people entered the building at about 6pm on Saturday and started the blaze. Prosecutor Émilie Abrantes announced an investigation into suspected criminal acts connected with the fire; investigators have yet to establish who was responsible. [1] [2] [3]

An ANP/AFP report published by Nieuws.nl said 17 people had been arrested in Limoges, including seven minors. Euronews reported that 19 people had been placed in police custody in the region in connection with the protests. Those are different measures with different geographical descriptions, and neither report links the people held to the town hall fire. [4] [2]