Yesterday evening, a fire broke out in the town hall of the 12th arrondissement. Where did the fire come from? What are the consequences for the residents of the 12th arrondissement? What has been damaged? Is there a risk of collapse? We take stock of what we know.
For some residents, the scene is reminiscent of the Notre-Dame de Paris fire in 2019. "It's a shock to see the spire under threat," says one resident, evoking a feeling of déjà-vu. A local councillor mentions that "three quarters of the town hall is now open to the sky".
The fire broke out shortly after 3 a.m., mainly ravaging the building's roof structure and second floor. The firefighters, mobilizing 150 firefighters and some 60 fire engines, managed to contain the blaze within three hours, using seven fire hoses. However, the damage to the structure is such that there is still a risk of collapse, particularly for the belfry, which houses a bell.
Civil registers- among the most important in France for this arrondissement of 141,000 inhabitants - and works of art, including furniture from the Boulle school of interior architecture, were "protected, even from water, thanks to the remarkably efficient intervention of the fire department, who brought them to safety", Emmanuelle Pierre-Marie emphasized.
According to Lieutenant-Colonel Nicolas Belain, who coordinated the operation, "the structure's fragility requires the intervention of experts, architects and carpenters". The Town Hall of the 12th district confirmed on Monday afternoon that the belfry would be dismantled, an operation made urgent by the wind, which could aggravate the situation.
The exact circumstances surrounding the fire remain unclear. According to the Paris public prosecutor's office, "there is nothing to suggest a deliberate act". Investigations will focus on the building's electrical systems and the roof repairs currently underway. Patrick Bloche, first deputy mayor of Paris, has assured us that this work has no connection with the incident.
A judicial inquiry has been opened to determine the precise causes of the incident, while the town hall and fire department insist on the need for caution in the face of as yet unconfirmed hypotheses.
The authorities' priority is now to secure the belfry, whose stability remains uncertain. "If the belfry collapses, the damage could be considerable", warned Patrick Bloche at a press briefing. Experts are considering an identical reconstruction, as confirmed by Emmanuelle Pierre-Marie, mayor of the 12th arrondissement: "This listed building must be restored with respect for its history."
The Town Hall of the 12th arrondissement of Paris, built in 1876 by architect Antoine-Julien Hénard, is a jewel of Parisian heritage. With its eclectic style, it harmoniously blends architectural influences from the Renaissance, Louis XIII and Louis XIV eras, visible in its mullioned windows, bosses, banded columns and dormer windows. Designed in the shape of a trapezium, the building's main façade is dominated by a pavilion with a clock and a 36-metre campanile, while a sculpture by Eugène-André Oudiné representing La Ville de Paris adorns the central arcade.
Despite the fire, the City of Paris is doing its utmost to maintain public services for the residents of the 12th arrondissement. Marriages and administrative formalities have been temporarily transferred to the 11th arrondissement town hall, while the Espace Reuilly has been refurbished to accommodate elected representatives and municipal staff.
The civil registry books, initially located in the attic affected by the fire, were evacuated in time and secured. "The civil registry is the life of the inhabitants, and it was essential to protect it", recalled François Vauglin, mayor of the 11th arrondissement, who emphasized the solidarity between the arrondissements.
While the urgent need remains to secure the town hall, the question of its renovation has already been raised. "We will rebuild this building, which is a symbol for the inhabitants of the 12th arrondissement," insisted Emmanuelle Pierre-Marie. For the time being, no reopening date has been announced, but the authorities are promising rapid mobilization to enable residents to return to their town hall as soon as possible.
This Tuesday, the belfry is due to be dismantled for safety reasons, and it will take several days of expert appraisal to determine the cause of the fire, according to the Prefect of Police, Laurent Nuñez. A security perimeter is still in place around the area.
