Massive fire erupts at waste collection site in Paris
Smoke billows behind the Sacre Coeur Basilica as a "major fire" broke out in the nearby 17th arrondissement, in the north of Paris, France on April 7, 2025. (AFP Photo)
A major fire erupted in Paris on Monday near a newly built court complex designed by Renzo Piano, sending thick smoke across the city and prompting authorities to urge the public to avoid the area.
A massive black cloud was visible across the French capital as firefighters fought the blaze, which tore through one of the city’s largest recycling plants.
Around 60 fire trucks and 200 firefighters responded to the scene, according to the fire brigade.
🔴 #LATEST — Massive fire erupts at Syctom waste collection site in Paris, reportedly next to judicial court at Porte de Clichy pic.twitter.com/GVPWpnJiVz
— Türkiye Today (@turkiyetodaycom) April 7, 2025
Authorities reported that no casualties were found.
Flames lit up the night sky, and authorities closed part of the main ring road around Paris to allow fire-fighting vehicles access to the burning building.
“The building is completely gutted and destroyed,” said Geoffrey Boulard, mayor of the affected 17th arrondissement, in an interview with BFM television. However, he confirmed all staff had been evacuated.
“Firefighters arrived very quickly, but the fire started underground and then spread through the building,” Boulard added.
No human casualties reported
The fire occurred at the Syctom recycling plant, located next to Paris’s main court complex, which features a glass skyscraper designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and was inaugurated in 2018.
The plant, which began operations in 2019, was designed to process household waste for nearly a million Paris residents, according to city authorities.
“The most important thing tonight is that this disaster did not result in any human casualties,” said Corentin Duprey, president of the site, in an interview with BFM television.
Boulard also confirmed that 31 employees were present when the fire began in a recycling zone located in the basement, which contained the most combustible material.
