FIRE DESTROYS ROOF AND CLOCK TOWER OF LIMOGES TOWN HALL

Fire destroyed the roof and clock tower of the town hall in Limoges, France, after a day of nationwide protests on Saturday. The blaze at the 140-year-old building appeared to be an arson attack, but officials had not confirmed its cause. Footage shared online showed flames engulfing the 19th-century town hall before the spire of its clock tower collapsed. Officials condemned the attack on the building.

Residents in Limoges expressed shock and anger at the damage to their town hall. One resident said: “Damaging heritage buildings because you're angry with the government is selfish”. Another said: “It broke my heart”. The first resident linked the damage to anger with the government, but officials had not identified who started the fire. People gathered at the site on Sunday to see the building and watch the work taking place there.

Firefighters battled the blaze through the night before examining the town hall on Sunday. Crews assessed its structural integrity after the fire destroyed the roof and brought down the clock tower's spire. Residents watched the assessment, which followed the firefighters' overnight effort to contain the flames. Officials had not confirmed whether the remaining structure faced a risk of collapse.