A new spate of arson attacks has caused panic in Châteauneuf-Villevieille, a small town in the Alpes-Maritimes department, situated in the Paillon Valley, on Tuesday 16 September 2025. Late in the day, six separate fires were reported almost simultaneously in the Salettes neighbourhood, requiring a large-scale emergency response.
These fires come on the heels of the first two incidents already reported in the village around a fortnight ago. During those previous incidents, a car was completely destroyed and an area of natural countryside was affected. Faced with this worrying pattern, the local council feared there might be an arsonist in the vicinity.
An arrest in the heat of the moment
This time, the suspicions were confirmed. According to Mayor Edmond Mari, a man was seen deliberately setting fire to the premises. Local residents, who were keeping a close eye on him, intervened immediately: “He was pinned to the ground,” the mayor told Nice-Matin. The suspect, a 58-year-old resident of the village, was subsequently handed over to the gendarmes. He is understood to have been taken to hospital ahead of a possible period in police custody, depending on his mental state.
The arrest brought an end to a series of criminal acts which had caused deep concern amongst the local population. The suspect’s motives remain unclear and will be the subject of the ongoing investigation. The authorities will also need to determine whether this man is indeed responsible for the previous fires recorded in the municipality.
A swift response from the emergency services
Fortunately, all the fires were brought under control before they could escalate dramatically. No fewer than forty firefighters, supported by officers from Force 06, responded swiftly, backed by three water-bombing helicopters. Around fifteen water drops were needed to bring the flames under control.
In total, around 2,000 m² of vegetation and land were affected. Thanks to the swift response, no homes were threatened and no injuries were reported. The mayor, relieved that the suspect had been arrested, nevertheless emphasised the seriousness of the incident: “It is almost a relief to know that an arrest has been made, but we remain vigilant.”
A town plagued by repeated fires
Located some 20 kilometres from Nice, in the Alpes-Maritimes (06), Châteauneuf-Villevieille is a small town that is particularly vulnerable to the risk of fire, mainly due to its terrain and natural areas. These repeated outbreaks of fire are fuelling the concerns of residents, who are already aware of the risks associated with the late-summer heatwave.
Local authorities and the emergency services are once again urging people to remain vigilant. In this area, as elsewhere, every instance of arson puts the public, homes and the natural environment at risk. The incident has also reignited the debate on prevention and surveillance in rural areas subject to a recurring risk of arson.