Toll rises to 16 in Paris apartment block fire

PARIS – The death toll from an apartment block fire in a suburb south of Paris has risen to 16 after a young man suffering from severe smoke inhalation died in hospital late on Sunday, police said.

Three of the dead were young children. Seven people, including one child, were still being treated in hospital after the blaze – the third fatal fire to hit the French capital in nine days – which police suspect was started by vandals.The fire broke out at around 1am on Sunday in the hall of an 18-storey building that was home to more than 300 people at L’Hay-les-Roses near Orly airport.Police have said the origin of the fire appeared to be criminal, and three teenaged girls have been held for questioning.Residents told investigators that people had been spotted setting light to letter-boxes on the ground floor of the highrise.Low-level arson attacks on cars and property are a regular problem in run-down housing estates that surround many French cities.- Nampa-AFPSeven people, including one child, were still being treated in hospital after the blaze – the third fatal fire to hit the French capital in nine days – which police suspect was started by vandals.The fire broke out at around 1am on Sunday in the hall of an 18-storey building that was home to more than 300 people at L’Hay-les-Roses near Orly airport.Police have said the origin of the fire appeared to be criminal, and three teenaged girls have been held for questioning.Residents told investigators that people had been spotted setting light to letter-boxes on the ground floor of the highrise.Low-level arson attacks on cars and property are a regular problem in run-down housing estates that surround many French cities.- Nampa-AFP