France fire: Seven dead, including a child, in suspected arson attack in Nice

Seven people, including three young children and one teenager, were killed in a fire that broke out in the southern French city of Nice early on Thursday morning.

Local prosecutors said authorities were investigating the fire as possible arson.

Flames engulfed the upper floors of an apartment building in the Moulins district, close to Nice’s airport.

The mayor of Nice said images clearly showed hooded people pouring gasoline on the stairs overnight, starting the fire. Interim Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who visited the scene later, said police were searching for the three people.

Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin said three young children were among the victims and that police would “clarify the circumstances of this terrible tragedy.”

The fire started on the second floor and quickly spread to the floors above. Nice prosecutor Damien Martinelli told reporters that based on initial findings “we have opened an investigation into arson as a cause of death.”

Local reports said all seven victims were from the same family. Authorities said three adults, one teenager and three children aged 5, 7 and 10 were killed.

Two members of the family are said to have tried to escape through a window, one of whom died and the other is in critical condition.

Governor Yugu Muthu said everyone has been affected by the tragedy and he was “strongly committed to providing aid and support to the survivors.”

A man who gave his name as Iftau told the website Nice Matin that he arrived at the scene during the fire and realised there was no hope for those inside the building.

Nadjim Maecha, head of the Comorian community in southern France, said he knew the family and they had been living in Nice since about 2013.

Nice’s mayor, Christian Estrosi, said the human toll of the disaster was enormous, with 30 more people suffering from smoke inhalation in addition to the seven killed.

“Following this tragedy, which is being investigated as possible arson, we have asked the interior minister to deploy security forces to ensure the safety of residents and prevent further incidents,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims. We stand with them and with the people of Nice,” French President Emmanuel Macron, who is visiting Britain, said.