Limoges City Hall Fire: Suspect Arrested, Rain Threatens Ruined Building

An incendiary attack on Limoges' 19th-century city hall on October 17 has left residents in shock, with the building's roof and belfry destroyed and its interior ravaged. A suspect linked to the fire has been arrested. Firefighters now fear rain will further destabilize the fragile structure, including its chimneys and fronton, as precipitation began falling Wednesday. A 34-year-old man, known for "ultra-left" activism and flagged on France's S-file, was arrested by the Raid unit Tuesday. The reconstruction could cost tens of millions of euros, with Mayor Guillaume Guérin demanding state support and criticizing authorities for insufficient police resources. City staff are now on technical unemployment, and some officers expressed concerns about social media's role in escalating tensions.