Marseille: Marché du Soleil destroyed by fire

A major fire has completely destroyed the Marché du Soleil, a commercial gallery in central Marseille, during the night of Wednesday to Thursday. The blaze, which began around 2:19 a.m., prompted the mobilization of approximately 100 firefighters and 30 vehicles.

Authorities evacuated 80 people from the vicinity, including at least 21 children, due to a high risk of structural collapse. No injuries were reported among those evacuated. The fire was contained to the market site and did not spread to adjacent buildings, though five bus lines were suspended and commuters were advised to avoid the area.

The 3,600-square-meter site, located near the Saint-Charles station, had been known as a hub for counterfeit goods and had been closed by prefectural order since February. On the Monday preceding the fire, a Marseille criminal court had ordered its permanent closure and sentenced its owner to a four-year suspended prison term along with significant fines.