Limoges town hall destroyed by fire during French protests
The historic 19th-century town hall of Limoges, France, was destroyed by a fire set by protesters during a social demonstration on Saturday, according to Mayor Guillaume Guérin. The fire started around 5:00 PM when several hundred people attacked the building, overturning cars in front of it. Flames spread to upper floors and the roof collapsed. Guérin condemned the act as "abject" and vowed that perpetrators "will be arrested." Guérin said national police lacked resources to contain the violent protesters, and municipal officers escaped after threats. He described the attack as hatred toward French institutions and authority. The building, constructed between 1876 and 1883, was a registered historical monument.