# International arson investigations and detentions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/international-arson-investigations-and-detentions > Updated: 2026-08-12T15:49:37.000Z. Sources: 27. Developments: 3. In mid‑July 2026, French authorities detained six people in connection with the July 2024 Moulins district fire in Nice that killed seven family members. The prosecutor stated, “six personnes sont mises en examen et placées en détention provisoire en France.” One detainee, a 23‑year‑old, admitted to a limited role as an intermediary but claimed he was threatened. Two suspects remain at large—one in Algeria and another in Guinea‑Bissau—both shielded from extradition due to the lack of bilateral agreements. Investigators allege that a 26‑year‑old man, Yassine K., organized an armed commando from his prison cell to carry out the Nice attack, which was reportedly motivated by drug trafficking disputes. By the end of July, detention actions expanded to other arson cases. In Larmor‑Plage, France, a 26‑year‑old was placed in pre‑trial detention after admitting to igniting multiple vegetation fires, including a blaze at the Kerguelen coastal park. Simultaneously, Canadian police in Laval arrested Simon Hudon, 42, and Ayoub‑Éliasse Saad, 23, for deliberately setting fire to a residential building in the Sainte‑Dorothée neighbourhood. In August, French authorities detained a 15-year-old in connection with a forest fire near Bordeaux-Mérignac airport that killed two firefighters, Wilfried Schmitter and Anthony Berthôme. This incident, following the death of a volunteer firefighter in Savoie, has intensified tensions within French emergency services, with unions protesting resource shortages and threatening industrial action. By mid-August, French authorities reported detaining 474 people, including 183 minors, in connection with wildfires since July 1. Regarding the Bordeaux airport fire, the 15-year-old suspect admitted to throwing a cigarette butt at the site, leading to charges of involuntary destruction by fire causing death. The teenager has been placed in a closed educational center. Meanwhile, Yassine K. has been placed in custody for his alleged role in the Nice arson attack. ## Claims - A 15-year-old has been placed under investigation and held in juvenile detention for a forest fire near Bordeaux airport. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The fire truck carrying two firefighters was trapped by flames in a pine forest near Bordeaux. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The July 2024 Nice arson attack was motivated by a dispute related to drug trafficking. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Seven people are currently in pre-trial detention in connection with the Nice arson case. (corroborated by 4 sources) - A 26-year-old man, Yassine K., has been taken into police custody in connection with the July 2024 Nice arson attack. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Yassine K. allegedly organized the arson attack from his prison cell. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The fire resulted in the deaths of seven people, including three children and a teenager. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The suspect was extracted from the Nancy detention center to be placed in custody. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Nine firefighter unions have threatened industrial action in September due to a perceived lack of resources. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Yassine K. formally contests having played a role in organizing the Nice arson attack. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The suspect allegedly recruited three individuals to act as an armed commando for the attack. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-12: France wildfire investigations: arrests made in fatal Bordeaux and Nice arson cases French authorities have detained hundreds in connection with summer wildfires. Investigations include a 15-year-old charged in a fatal Bordeaux forest fire and an organizer held for a deadly Nice arson attack. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nice-arson-attack-suspected-organizer-taken-into-custody ### 2026-07-30: Arson suspects detained in Larmor‑Plage, France and Laval, Canada Arson suspects were detained in France after admitting to three wildfires, and in Canada after being arrested for a deliberately set residential blaze. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/arson-suspects-detained-in-larmorplage-france-and-laval-canada ### 2026-07-17: Nice Moulins arson suspects detained as investigation nears closure Six suspects in the 2024 Nice Moulins arson that killed seven have been detained, while two others remain abroad due to extradition limits. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nice-moulins-arson-suspects-detained-as-investigation-nears-closure --- Cite as: International arson investigations and detentions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/international-arson-investigations-and-detentions