Bell tower of Limoges town hall collapses after arson during riots

PARIS, October 18. /TASS/. A bell tower has collapsed onto the roof of the town hall in Limoges, central France, after a fire broke out during riots, according to footage broadcast by the France 3 television channel.

The fire started after several groups of radicals broke into the building and set fire to rooms on the ground floor. They then torched several vehicles parked nearby, which later exploded.

Despite firefighters battling the blaze for an hour, the fire spread to the roof. An hour later, the flames engulfed the bell tower. Footage shows the burning structure toppling sideways and crashing through the central section of the roof. Firefighting operations are still underway.

"There are no words to condemn what happened - it is so vile. This is chaos for the country," Limoges Mayor Guillaume Guerin said. He claimed the rioters "came to kill," adding that this was "visible on security camera footage." The mayor pledged to file a formal complaint and ensure that all those responsible for destroying the historic building are punished.

The Limoges town hall, built in 1883 by architect Charles Alfred Leclerc, is a protected historic landmark.