French firefighter, 24, dies fighting riot during sixth night of violence

A young Parisian firefighter was killed last night when he unsuccessfully tried to put out a blaze in an underground car park as France suffered its sixth night of rioting.

The 24-year-old, whose name has not been mentioned, was part of an emergency operation on Monday in the troubled suburb of Saint-Denis, just north of the capital.

“A young corporal-chief of the Paris fire brigade died last night fighting a multi-vehicle fire, despite very prompt treatment by his teammates,” said Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.

It’s because shocking videos show gangs of youths looting clothing stores.

In response to the ongoing violence, some citizens have taken matters into their own hands.

One clip showed a group of men standing outside a house in Metz brandishing katanas – deadly Japanese swords – as they defended their cars and property from harm.

Others showed groups of what were described as “football ultras and hooligans” patrolling the streets in search of rioters.

The demonstrations in France were sparked by the murder of Nahel Merzouk, a 17-year-old with an Algerian background who was shot at close range by a police officer during a traffic check in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre on Tuesday.

Many – including Mr Merzouk’s family – said the killing was symptomatic of widespread racism against ethnic minority groups in France.

Some videos showed groups of what were described as “football ultras and hooligans” patrolling the streets looking for rioters in an attempt to take back control

In response to the ongoing violence, some citizens have taken matters into their own hands. A clip showed a group of men standing outside a house in Metz brandishing katanas – deadly Japanese swords – as they defended their cars and property from damage

People run followed by police officers during riots following the death of Nahel, a 17-year-old teenager killed by a French police officer in Nanterre during a traffic check, on the Champs Elysees in Paris, France

A person walks past Champ de Mars and a barricaded Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, July 3, 2023

The ongoing violence led to 157 arrests between Sunday and Monday, Darmanin said.

While the latest arrest figure is significantly lower than the more than 2,000 taken into custody on Friday and Saturday, reports of violent acts continue to emerge.

French authorities were shocked on Sunday after a burning car hit the house of the mayor of the Paris suburb of L’Hay-les-Roses.

Several police stations and town halls have been the target of fires or vandalism in recent days, but such a personal attack on a mayor’s residence is unusual.

Vincent Jeanbrun, the mayor of the Parisian suburb of L’Hay-les-Roses, said his wife would not be able to walk for three months after their family home was raided on Saturday.

“It was an assassination attempt,” he said. “A milestone was reached in horror and disgrace.”

Regional prosecutor Stephane Hardouin opened an investigation into attempted murder, telling French television that a preliminary investigation suggests the car was intended to ram and set fire to the house. He said a flame accelerator was found in a bottle in the car.

The Association of French Mayors called on Monday at noon to “call on the population to mobilize” in front of town halls, as citizens whose businesses and properties were damaged in the riots demand an end to the disturbances.

“We will let the sirens sound, we will continue with our daily work so that order is restored,” the AFM said in a statement.

Macron emphasized the seriousness of the riots and suggested what would have been the first state visit by a French president to Germany in 23 years to begin on Sunday evening.

In the midst of rioting, a gang of youths are seen robbing a clothing store

French soldiers, part of the “Vigipirate” national security plan, stand guard as they secure the area near the Arc de Triomphe, in Paris, France, early July 3, 2023

Riot police on motorbike secure the area in front of the Arc de Triomphe amid fears of another night of clashes with protesters in Paris, France, July 2, 2023

French President Emmanuel Macron attends an emergency meeting of the government after riots broke out across the country for the fifth night in a row

Some 45,000 additional police officers have been put on the streets night after night, but this has not stopped further unrest in towns and villages from Paris to Marseille.

The worst disturbances were Sunday in the southern port city, where police fired tear gas and engaged in street battles with youths.

Footage circulated on social media showed plumes of black smoke rising over the city of Marseille as fires mixed with the tear gas, leaving corrosive trails.

The officer responsible for the shooting of Mr Merzouk – identified as Florian M., 38 – remains in custody on murder charges.

Among those calling for calm over the weekend were France and Paris St Germain football star Kylian Mbappé, who said ‘the violence must stop’.

A leaked police intelligence report described officers as “at war with ferocious hordes of vermin.”

Two police unions threatened an uprising unless Emmanuel Macron’s government restored order.

“Today the police are fighting because we are at war,” the report says.

‘Tomorrow we will protest and the government must be aware of that.’