Building Set Ablaze During May Day Protests in Paris

A fire broke out in a building at Place de la Nation in Paris on May 1 as violence broke out during nationwide protests marking International Workers’ Day, often referred to as May Day, according to officials.

Police in Paris said the fire was extinguished and no casualties were reported.

Officials said at least 111 people were arrested in Paris, according to French media reports.

The French Ministry of the Interior said 108 police officers and gendarmes were injured across France, including one police officer who was seriously burned by a Molotov cocktail.

Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin called for cross-party condemnation of what he called “unacceptable violence against law enforcement.”

Darmanin said the “vast majority” of demonstrators were peaceful but small, violent groups in Paris, Lyon, and Nantes had attacked police officers and damaged property. At least one police officer was injured by a Molotov cocktail, Darmanin said. Credit: Brendan Gutenschwager via Storyful