15-year-old detained over deadly French forest fire
French authorities have detained a 15-year-old youth suspected of starting a forest fire that killed two firefighters, a source close to the investigation has told AFP.
A 15-year-old youth has been detained by French authorities in connection with a deadly forest fire that claimed the lives of two firefighters, according to a source familiar with the investigation. The incident occurred on July 21st near Bordeaux airport in western France when the firefighters' truck became engulfed by flames while they were attempting to contain a forest fire.
The source revealed that the teenager has been formally placed under investigation and is currently held in juvenile detention. The tragic loss of life, along with that of a volunteer firefighter battling another blaze in southeast France, has sparked outrage among French firefighter unions. These unions argue that they lack the necessary resources to effectively combat the numerous wildfires plaguing the country this year.
Representatives from nine unions met with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez on Thursday to express their dissatisfaction, stating that the commitments made were insufficient and threatening industrial action in September. As much of the country grapples with a new heatwave, firefighters are once again responding to forest fires across France on Thursday.
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