France: Children among dead in suspected arson attack in Nice

Seven people, including three young children and a teenager, were killed in a fire that broke out in the early hours of Thursday in the southern French city of Nice.

The local prosecutor said officials are investigating the fire as a possible arson attack.

Fire engulfed the upper floors of a residential building in the Moulins area of ​​Nice, near the city’s airport.

The mayor of Nice said they had photos that clearly showed the fire was caused by petrol being poured into the building’s stairwell by masked men overnight. Later, interim Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who visited the scene of the fire, said police were searching for three people.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said three young children were among the victims and that police would “shed light on the circumstances of this terrible tragedy”.

The fire broke out on the second floor and quickly spread to the upper floors. Nice prosecutor Damien Martinelli told reporters that in light of the initial findings, “an investigation has been opened into arson as a cause of death.”

Local reports said the seven victims were all from the same family. Officials said three adults, a teenager and younger children aged five, seven and 10 were killed.

Two family members were said to have tried to escape through the window, one of whom died while the other is in critical condition.

County Commissioner Hughes Mutoh said everyone was affected by the tragedy and “strongly determined to provide assistance and support to the survivors”.

A man named Iftaho told the Nes Matan website that he arrived at the scene while the fire was raging and realized there was no hope for those inside.

The head of the Comorian community in southern France, Najim Maicha, said he knew the family and that they had been living in Nice since around 2013.

Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi said the human toll from the disaster was very high. In addition to the seven victims, 30 other people suffered from smoke inhalation.

“I have asked the Minister of Interior to deploy security forces to ensure the safety of residents and avoid new incidents after this tragedy, which is being investigated as a possible arson attack,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with the victims’ relatives. We are with them and with the people of Nice,” President Emmanuel Macron said during his visit to the United Kingdom.