Early Monday morning, the town hall of Paris’ 12th district was consumed by a significant fire, resulting in extensive damage to its historic bell tower, although fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

According to Paris police prefect Laurent Nunez, the blaze broke out at approximately 3:20 a.m. in the roof area of the town hall. A dedicated team of around 150 firefighters was dispatched to combat the flames, successfully bringing the fire under control by morning.

Nunez also alerted the public to a potential “risk of collapse” concerning the upper section of the bell tower, prompting the establishment of a security perimeter surrounding the building. As investigations begin, officials are set to uncover the underlying causes of the fire.

In response to the incident, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo commended the “exceptional intervention” by the Paris fire department, emphasizing that all necessary public services for local residents would continue to operate seamlessly from the town hall in the neighboring 11th district.

Originally constructed in 1876, the 12th district town hall features a prominent bell tower that rises to 36 meters (approximately 118 feet) above its main entrance, making it a significant architectural landmark in the area.