Criminal arson at the Moulins: a new suspect charged

Nearly two years after the arson attack that claimed the lives of seven members of the same family in the Moulins district in Nice, a new suspect has been arrested and placed under investigation. The prosecutor’s office mentions a role as intermediary in the preparation of the facts.

The investigation into the arson attack in the Moulins district in Nice, for which a commemoration ceremony in tribute to the victims will be held this Saturday, July 18 at 3:30 p.m., continues to progress. The Public Prosecutor of Nice, Damien Martinelli, announced on Friday the arrest in early July of a new suspect. Born in 2001 and living in Nice, the accused is suspected of having participated in the preparation of the fire that caused the death of seven members of the same family in July 2024.

In a statement, the prosecutor’s office specifies that « The evidence gathered made it possible to consider that the person in question may have played a role as intermediary in the context of the preparation of the facts, in particular regarding the location of the fire site. » During questioning, the suspect admitted partial involvement. According to the prosecutor, « while the person acknowledged some involvement, he explained it by the threats he had received. »

At the end of the proceedings, the suspect was placed under investigation for « willful destruction by fire resulting in death » as well as for « willful destruction by fire in an organized gang and criminal association with intent to commit a crime. » The accused had previously been convicted several times, notably for acts of violence with weapons.

Six people in custody, two suspects still being sought

The judicial investigation now involves six people placed under investigation and remanded in custody. Two other suspects remain actively sought.

Among the persons on the run is the alleged mastermind. Born in Senegal, the suspect left France in the days following the facts. After a period of detention in Guinea-Bissau, the person remains wanted under an international arrest warrant. A second suspect, who was located in Algeria for a time, is also subject to an international arrest warrant.

The prosecutor’s office emphasizes that « To date, six people are placed under investigation and remanded in custody in France. » Investigations are continuing under the authority of the investigating judge. « Investigations are continuing intensively under the direction of the investigating magistrate with a view to possible closure of the judicial investigation in the coming months », concludes the statement.

Seven members of the same family lost their lives

During the night of July 17-18, 2024, several individuals started a fire in an apartment located on the seventh floor of a building on Rue de la Santoline, in the Moulins district. The investigation had quickly favored the theory of a criminal act linked to drug trafficking.

The fire claimed the lives of seven members of the same family of Comorian origin. Three children, one teenager, two women aged 22 and 46 and a man aged 45 lost their lives. No evidence had established any link between the victims and drug trafficking.

Alerted around 2:30 a.m., firefighters faced a violent apartment fire. Emergency responders carried out three rescues using large ladders and secured thirty-three residents. One person was hospitalized in critical condition and two others in urgent condition. Twenty-five fire engines and seventy-two firefighters were deployed. Around twenty residents were also evacuated and temporarily rehoused.

Last May, during a visit to the Moulins district following another series of shootings, the Minister of the Interior Laurent Nuñez visited the building affected by the fire to pay tribute to the victims. Since then, a police station has opened its doors in this sensitive district of Nice.