Limoges Town Hall Destroyed by Fire During France Riots

Residents of Limoges woke on Sunday to the burned out remains of the city’s town hall, a 19th century neo Renaissance building that survived two world wars before a masked mob set it ablaze during the worst unrest France has seen in years according to Blockto reports. Onlookers watched on Saturday evening as the fire tore through the roof and brought down the clock tower, scenes that recalled the collapse of Notre Dame’s spire in 2019. Local prefect Maurice Barate said the roof caved in onto the lower floors, leaving only the west wing intact, and called the loss a heritage catastrophe. The listed monument opened in 1883, was modelled on Paris’ city hall, and its tower and belfry rose 43 metres above the square.

Mayor Criticizes Police Cover and Planning

Mayor Guillaume Guerin said a mob of several hundred smashed windows and used a battering ram on the main door, quickly overwhelming local police. He said no national police officer was left to guard the building because they had been sent to the street protest, and he described the planning behind the attack as unbearable.

Residents React to the Limoges Fire

Locals voiced shock and anger. One resident said she saw Notre Dame all over again, noting her family had planned a baptism at the town hall next month. Others demanded that those responsible be punished, while a retired nurse said adding hate on top of hate solves nothing.