FONTAINEBLEAU (France), July 16 — A volunteer firefighter who was suspected of starting a fire in France’s historic Fontainebleau forest, was placed under formal investigation...
A firefighter operates during a fire in the Fontainebleau Forest, in Noisy-sur-Ecole, in the Paris’ Ile-de-France region on July 14, 2026. — AFP pic! Plus, enjoy an additional FREE RM10 when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with a min. cash-in of RM100 today.
T&Cs apply. FONTAINEBLEAU , July 16 — A volunteer firefighter who was suspected of starting a fire in France’s historic Fontainebleau forest, was placed under formal investigation and remanded in custody on Wednesday, a prosecutor said. The suspect, aged 18, initially confessed to “setting fire to twigs with a lighter and petrol” before retracting his confession, Diane Ngomsik told AFP, confirming a report on BFMTV.
In all, six people have been arrested as part of the investigation into the wildfires, which burned more than 2,000 hectares of the sprawling forest some 60 kilometres south-east of Paris. About 1,000 local residents were forced to leave their homes as the fires spread, and the main A6 motorway from the capital to the southeast was shut.
The local authorities said on Tuesday evening that hundreds of firefighters had managed to contain the flames but the fires were not fully extinguished. France has been sweltering under another heatwave, with the high temperatures contributing to wildfires. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has said 32,000 hectares have been hit by fires since the start of this year — more than during the entire 2025 fire season. — AFP
Please follow us on Google to support usWildfire Laurent Nunez BFMTV Heatwave A6 Motorway
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
France Battles Massive Wildfire Near Paris Amid Heatwave, Arson SuspectedFirefighters in France are battling a large wildfire that has consumed over 1,300 hectares in the Fontainebleau forest near Paris. The blaze, which may have been deliberately set, has led to evacuations, highway closures, and an unprecedented aerial firefighting deployment. The fire occurs during a severe heatwave, with officials linking the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events to climate change.
Read more »
Nurul Aifa Majura: From Finance Consultant to B2B Entrepreneur Driving Global ExpansionNurul Aifa Majura, 29, is a Singapore-based entrepreneur who co-founded Finstone Tech Pte. Ltd., a B2B venture helping local companies explore global markets in sectors like health tech, energy, aviation, tourism, digital transformation, and investment facilitation across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Previously a financial consultant, she credits her career shift to supportive partners and mentors, and emphasizes the importance of mentorship for young entrepreneurs. She also serves as Director of QuantumNexis, advisor for Public Gold, and as a cultural tourism ambassador for Miss Malaysia Kebaya, promoting Malaysian heritage globally. Additionally, she remains active in volunteer work as treasurer for Al-Ikhlas Hope Society, an NGO focused on education and healthcare for marginalized communities, including developing a school in Batu Caves.
Read more »
Deadly Fire at Bangkok Bar Claims 30 Lives, Raises Safety ConcernsA fire at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in Bangkok killed at least 30 people and injured 75, highlighting lax fire safety enforcement in Thailand's hospitality industry. The blaze, likely caused by an electrical short circuit, quickly spread due to flammable decorations and blocked exits.
Read more »
Bangkok blaze raises fresh concerns over nightclub safety after 30 deathsBANGKOK, July 14 — The Bangkok bar that erupted into flames, killing 30 people, lacked some basic safety systems that might have saved lives, an independent expert told AFP...
Read more »