At Grand-Couronne near Rouen, the fire that broke out at the town hall is arson

France3 Normandy, 16 September 2025 (extract)

She was alerted by the fire brigade at 1h10 in the morning. Julie Lesage, mayor of Grand-Couronne (PS) went to the scene of the fire right away. « The flames started in the reception hall of the town hall, the whole area has been devastated from the inside by the fire », the official tells us.
Julie Lesage was able to enter the town hall last night once the fire was under control thanks to the firefighters : « The whole entrance hall is burnt, not one office has been saved. Upstairs, there was smoke, so there is soot on the walls, floors and equipment ». On the garden level, she noticed water damage due to a broken pipe. There was no one in the building when the fire started.

For the mayor, it is hard to say whether it will be possible for citizens to be received for quite some time. « The town hall is the place where weddings are celebrated, where one comes to get one’s passport, enroll one’s children for the cantine… it is our communal home, la République, that has been touched by this fire. » she continued.

According to the Rouen public prosecutor, the trail of third party involvement is likely. The findings of the national police, followed by those of an expert, indicate that someone started the fire.

An investigation has therefore been opened for « damage of others’ property by means that put persons in danger, by an organised gang » and « damage to property by means liable to endanger persons, committed against the person, owner or user, entrusted with a public service.».

It has been entrusted to the SIPJ of Rouen.

via: sansnom translated by Act for freedom now!