Residents have reported seeing individuals breaking into this kindergarten in the Faubourg de Béthune in Lille on Thursday early evening, before smoke emerges.
On site, firefighters were targeted by fireworks.
The fire ravaged part of a nursery school in a popular district of Lille on Thursday evening, according to the firefighters who were "taken to task on their arrival", the mayor (PS) Martine Aubry condemning a "voluntary" fire.
According to the emergency services, it was residents who called them around 8:15 p.m., claiming to have seen people enter the Béranger-Hachette school, located in the Faubourg de Béthune district, then to have seen smoke emanating from it. .
Rescue targeted by fireworks mortars
People fired fireworks mortars in the direction of firefighters once there, according to the same source.
The fire swept through about "a third" of the establishment, which was closed for an "indefinite" period.
"Arson this evening in a school in Lille. I strongly condemn this act which attacks a place so essential for children, place of education and emancipation, living symbol of the Republic", tweeted Martine Aubry .
Arson this evening in a school in Lille.
I strongly condemn this act which attacks a place so essential for children, a place of education and emancipation, a living symbol of the Republic.
- Martine Aubry (@MartineAubry) April 22, 2021
The firefighters plan to file a complaint.