Roof and bell tower collapse after fire at Limoges city hall

A fire at Limoges city hall caused its roof and bell tower to collapse. The extent of the damage emerged after overnight firefighting following the blaze during protests on October 17.

Prefect Maurice Barate told France 24 that the roof had fallen onto the lower floors except in the western wing. He estimated that roughly two-thirds of the facade had been destroyed and described the damage as a catastrophe for cultural heritage.

France 3 reported that the 43-meter bell tower, one of the city's symbols, had caught fire and collapsed. The city hall was built in 1883 and is listed as a French historic monument.

The blaze occurred amid Saturday's protests over the rising cost of living. Previously published Interior Ministry figures put arrests during unrest nationwide at about 1,200, with 150 police officers injured.