In a devastating incident that occurred early Sunday (August 13), a fire engulfed a residential building located in the central district of Grasse, a renowned city in the French Riviera.

The blaze killed three people, while leaving three others in critical condition and four with minor injuries.

The fire, now extinguished, inflicted significant damage on the upper floors of the five-story building, casting a shadow over the picturesque town known for its fragrance heritage, reported AFP.&nbsp;

The origin of the fire, which tore through the historical heart of Grasse, remains shrouded in uncertainty.

The edifice's top three levels bore the brunt of the flames, with the exterior partially charred. The stairwell suffered the most substantial impact, while the individual units endured smoke-related harm, according to Jean-Christophe Demarte, leading the rescue operation, who spoke to AFP.&nbsp;

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<h2>Emergency response </h2>

Local residents sounded the alarm, prompting firefighters to rush to the scene at approximately 3:00 am (0100 GMT).

Tragically, one life was lost as a person leapt from the building, while two more bodies were discovered within its confines.

Witnesses recounted harrowing scenes, including a woman's urgent cries for assistance and a man's desperate fall while attempting to escape the inferno.

Also watch |&nbsp;UK: Six dead after migrant boat capsizes crossing from France to UK

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<h2>Heart of the old town</h2>

Situated in a vibrant square within Grasse's old town, the ill-fated building was a hub of activity during the summer months, attracting both tourists and locals.

The charming locale, adorned with eateries, a fountain, and charming pedestrian pathways, now bears the scars of the calamity that unfolded.

Jerome Viaud, the city's mayor, clarified that while the building did not exhibit structural deficiencies, plans for renovations were slated for October, focusing on communal spaces and the facade.

Although speculation about the fire's cause abounds, Viaud emphasised the need for patience as investigators seek to determine whether the incident was accidental or malicious in nature.

Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the root cause of the tragic fire. The city's prosecutor confirmed that a probe is currently underway to shed light on the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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In a devastating incident that occurred early Sunday (August 13), a fire engulfed a residential building located in the central district of Grasse, a renowned city in the French Riviera.

In a devastating incident that occurred early Sunday (August 13), a fire engulfed a residential building located in the central district of Grasse, a renowned city in the French Riviera. The blaze killed three people, while leaving three others in critical condition and four with minor injuries. The fire, now extinguished, inflicted significant damage on the upper floors of the five-story building, casting a shadow over the picturesque town known for its fragrance heritage, reported AFP. The origin of the fire, which tore through the historical heart of Grasse, remains shrouded in uncertainty. The edifice's top three levels bore the brunt of the flames, with the exterior partially charred. The stairwell suffered the most substantial impact, while the individual units endured smoke-related harm, according to Jean-Christophe Demarte, leading the rescue operation, who spoke to AFP. Also read | Eiffel Tower in Paris briefly evacuated after bomb threat: Reports Emergency response Local residents sounded the alarm, prompting firefighters to rush to the scene at approximately 3:00 am (0100 GMT). Tragically, one life was lost as a person leapt from the building, while two more bodies were discovered within its confines. Witnesses recounted harrowing scenes, including a woman's urgent cries for assistance and a man's desperate fall while attempting to escape the inferno. Also watch | UK: Six dead after migrant boat capsizes crossing from France to UK Heart of the old town Situated in a vibrant square within Grasse's old town, the ill-fated building was a hub of activity during the summer months, attracting both tourists and locals. The charming locale, adorned with eateries, a fountain, and charming pedestrian pathways, now bears the scars of the calamity that unfolded. Jerome Viaud, the city's mayor, clarified that while the building did not exhibit structural deficiencies, plans for renovations were slated for October, focusing on communal spaces and the facade. Although speculation about the fire's cause abounds, Viaud emphasised the need for patience as investigators seek to determine whether the incident was accidental or malicious in nature. Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the root cause of the tragic fire. The city's prosecutor confirmed that a probe is currently underway to shed light on the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Fatal building fire kills three in French Riviera city of Grasse

A disturbed teenager with guns and grenades opened fire in a school in southern France on Thursday, slightly wounding four people, officials said, rattling nerves in a country scarred by jihadist attacks.

Three pupils and the head teacher suffered minor gunshot injuries, and another six students were treated for shock or injuries sustained during a stampede, according to an updated toll.

Investigators said the boy, a student at the Alexis de Tocqueville high school in the hillside town of Grasse, was carrying a small arsenal of weapons as well as a homemade explosive device in a bag.

They said he is obsessed with guns and had relationship problems, and the incident was not apparently terror-related. The name of the suspect, a minor, has not been disclosed.

Education Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said &quot;heroic&quot; actions by the school&#39;s head teacher appeared to have helped prevent greater bloodshed.

The head teacher rushed towards the pupil as he pulled out his guns &quot;to try to reason with him,&quot; Vallaud-Belkacem said, adding that the educator was injured in the process. &quot;We avoided the worst,&quot; she said.&nbsp;

The assailant&#39;s age was initially given by investigators as 17, but they later amended it to 16.

Local prosecutor Fabienne Atzori ruled out a terror motive and said the shooting appeared to have been motivated by the gunman&#39;s &quot;bad relationships&quot; with classmates. The teenager was described by Vallaud-Belkacem as &quot;unstable and fascinated by guns&quot; and was carrying a rifle, two handguns and grenades -- which may have been dummy devices -- when he was detained by police shortly after the lunchtime attack.

Investigators also found a homemade explosive device in his rucksack, which was made safe on the spot.

He used a pump-action firearm, but not the other weapons, and offered no resistance to his arrest, the prosecutor said.

The suspect had shared pictures and videos on social media of infamous US school shootings, including the 1999 Columbine massacre in Littleton, Colorado, in which two teens killed 13 people before committing suicide.

France is still in a state of emergency after a series of terror attacks, including the November 2015 massacre in Paris and a truck attack in Nice, just 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Grasse, in July last year.

Many feared the worst when news first filtered through of the violence, with elite police response teams immediately dispatched to the scene.

The shooting comes around 40 days ahead of the first round of France&#39;s two-stage presidential election, in which security is one of the main issues on voters&#39; minds.Witnesses described scenes of panic as pupils fled the shooting or looked for places to hide.

Fifteen-year-old Mokhtaria told AFP she was having a cigarette in the school garage when she heard shots ring out.&nbsp;

&quot;We saw people coming down shouting: &#39;There&#39;s a nutter firing at people&#39;. We ran for it,&quot; she said.

Sonia, 42, the mother of a 16-year-old girl called Ines, said she had received a text message from her daughter at 12:30 pm (1130 GMT) that said, &quot;We are going to die, someone has a gun, I love you, Mum. Goodbye!&quot;

All schools in Grasse were locked down after the shooting and police threw a cordon around the building in the town which is home to several perfume factories.

Security is at its highest level in France following the spate of jihadist attacks since January 2015 that have claimed hundreds of lives.

More than 3,000 reservists were called up to help keep watch outside the country`s 64,000 primary and secondary schools when pupils returned from their summer holidays in September.

US-style school shootings are almost unheard-of in France, a country with low levels of gun violence.

The last major attack at a school was in 2012, when an Islamic extremist from Toulouse, Mohamed Merah, shot dead three children and a teacher at a Jewish school in the city before being killed by police.

In March 1984, a 15-year-old student shot and killed a teacher in the southwestern town of Castres before turning the gun on himself.

(AFP)

Three pupils and the head teacher suffered minor gunshot injuries. Another 6 students were treated for shock or injuries during the stampede

A disturbed teenager with guns and grenades opened fire in a school in southern France on Thursday, slightly wounding four people, officials said, rattling nerves in a country scarred by jihadist attacks. Three pupils and the head teacher suffered minor gunshot injuries, and another six students were treated for shock or injuries sustained during a stampede, according to an updated toll. Investigators said the boy, a student at the Alexis de Tocqueville high school in the hillside town of Grasse, was carrying a small arsenal of weapons as well as a homemade explosive device in a bag. They said he is obsessed with guns and had relationship problems, and the incident was not apparently terror-related. The name of the suspect, a minor, has not been disclosed. Education Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said "heroic" actions by the school's head teacher appeared to have helped prevent greater bloodshed. The head teacher rushed towards the pupil as he pulled out his guns "to try to reason with him," Vallaud-Belkacem said, adding that the educator was injured in the process. "We avoided the worst," she said. The assailant's age was initially given by investigators as 17, but they later amended it to 16. Local prosecutor Fabienne Atzori ruled out a terror motive and said the shooting appeared to have been motivated by the gunman's "bad relationships" with classmates. The teenager was described by Vallaud-Belkacem as "unstable and fascinated by guns" and was carrying a rifle, two handguns and grenades -- which may have been dummy devices -- when he was detained by police shortly after the lunchtime attack. Investigators also found a homemade explosive device in his rucksack, which was made safe on the spot. He used a pump-action firearm, but not the other weapons, and offered no resistance to his arrest, the prosecutor said. The suspect had shared pictures and videos on social media of infamous US school shootings, including the 1999 Columbine massacre in Littleton, Colorado, in which two teens killed 13 people before committing suicide. France is still in a state of emergency after a series of terror attacks, including the November 2015 massacre in Paris and a truck attack in Nice, just 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Grasse, in July last year. Many feared the worst when news first filtered through of the violence, with elite police response teams immediately dispatched to the scene. The shooting comes around 40 days ahead of the first round of France's two-stage presidential election, in which security is one of the main issues on voters' minds.Witnesses described scenes of panic as pupils fled the shooting or looked for places to hide. Fifteen-year-old Mokhtaria told AFP she was having a cigarette in the school garage when she heard shots ring out. "We saw people coming down shouting: 'There's a nutter firing at people'. We ran for it," she said. Sonia, 42, the mother of a 16-year-old girl called Ines, said she had received a text message from her daughter at 12:30 pm (1130 GMT) that said, "We are going to die, someone has a gun, I love you, Mum. Goodbye!" All schools in Grasse were locked down after the shooting and police threw a cordon around the building in the town which is home to several perfume factories. Security is at its highest level in France following the spate of jihadist attacks since January 2015 that have claimed hundreds of lives. More than 3,000 reservists were called up to help keep watch outside the country`s 64,000 primary and secondary schools when pupils returned from their summer holidays in September. US-style school shootings are almost unheard-of in France, a country with low levels of gun violence. The last major attack at a school was in 2012, when an Islamic extremist from Toulouse, Mohamed Merah, shot dead three children and a teacher at a Jewish school in the city before being killed by police. In March 1984, a 15-year-old student shot and killed a teacher in the southwestern town of Castres before turning the gun on himself. (AFP)

French teen school shooter tackled by 'hero' teacher

When Joseph Mul walks through his field of sweet-smelling Provence roses, the raw ingredients of Chanel N&deg;5, he follows in the footsteps of his great-grandfather who began growing flowers for perfume in 1840. 
 
Mul, 77, is continuing the tradition of one generation instructing the next in the secrets of floral cultivation by preparing to hand over his livelihood to son-in-law, Fabrice Bianchi. 
 
&quot;He was converted the day he married my daughter,&quot; said Mul. 
 
&quot;The apprenticeship is done &#39;in situ&#39; in the fields, it&#39;s a permanent exchange between our two generations, a transfer of know-how that allows us to manage the plants,&quot; said Bianchi as he picked a Provence rose, also known as a May rose. 
 
&quot;This rose was designed to appeal to the nostrils. Its smell is very balanced and velvety.&quot; 
 
It is this rich heritage that the flower growers in the south-east French town of Grasse, including Mul, a well-known figure in the industry, are now pushing to have recognised by the UN&#39;s cultural agency, UNESCO. 
 
They have been joined in their crusade by France&#39;s perfume makers as well as the companies responsible for processing their raw materials. 
 
Grasse, a town of around 50,000 people, has been associated with perfume since the 17th century under Louis XIV when the area&#39;s leather makers - there since the Middle Ages - began to create scented oil to fragrance their wares, particularly gloves. 
 
The sun king is rumoured to have used so much that the scent made him ill. 
 
Fields of flowers began to speckle the region as a result of the demand for floral oils. 
 
A property boom in the 1970s coupled with strong competition from cheaper overseas producers threatened the viability of Grasse&#39;s perfume industry. 
 
Despite the headwinds, Grasse has since reasserted its position at the forefront of global perfume manufacturing, hosting famous names like Robertet and Fragonard and employing as many as 3,000 people. 
 
Today perfumes are heavily associated with fashion and celebrities, a trend started by Coco Chanel&#39;s N&deg;5 in 1921. 
 
Since then perfumes have become a core part of a designer&#39;s franchise with the world&#39;s leading luxury company LVMH opening a perfume testing laboratory in Grasse in September. 
 
The base will develop the next generation of scents for Dior and Louis Vuitton and help secure Grasse&#39;s position as a global hub for perfume. 
 
Several other renowned perfumes come directly from factories in and around Grasse using both natural and synthetic ingredients from across the world. 
 
&quot;Such a concentration of know-how doesn&#39;t exist anywhere else in the world. It&#39;s here that you have to come to perfect a natural product,&quot; said Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud, the son and grandson of Grasse perfume makers and now a designer and &quot;nose&quot; for Louis Vuitton. 
 
He has joined the chorus calling for Grasse&#39;s centuries of perfume expertise to be added to UNESCO&#39;s list of &quot;intangible cultural heritage&quot; following France&#39;s application in March 2015. 
 
While France officially recognised the region&#39;s valuable perfume heritage in 2014, it could take years for the United Nations to do the same. 
 
It is hoped that Grasse&#39;s bid will promote the traditional oral teaching of perfume-making techniques. 
 
&quot;A very colourful language, unique to perfumers, allows us to communicate emotion very quickly. With my father I understand instantly,&quot; said Cavallier-Belletrud. 
 
&quot;A perfume is an idea and a collection of emotions that can be shared.&quot; 
 
Carole Biancalana, a fourth generation grower of flowers for perfume, said that it is vital that Grasse&#39;s heritage be recognised to celebrate its history and secure its future. 
 
&quot;It is important to help label our heritage, to attract young people into the profession, and to pay tribute to past generations,&quot; she said.

Grasse, a small town in France, has been associated with perfume since the 17th century

When Joseph Mul walks through his field of sweet-smelling Provence roses, the raw ingredients of Chanel N°5, he follows in the footsteps of his great-grandfather who began growing flowers for perfume in 1840. Mul, 77, is continuing the tradition of one generation instructing the next in the secrets of floral cultivation by preparing to hand over his livelihood to son-in-law, Fabrice Bianchi. "He was converted the day he married my daughter," said Mul. "The apprenticeship is done 'in situ' in the fields, it's a permanent exchange between our two generations, a transfer of know-how that allows us to manage the plants," said Bianchi as he picked a Provence rose, also known as a May rose. "This rose was designed to appeal to the nostrils. Its smell is very balanced and velvety." It is this rich heritage that the flower growers in the south-east French town of Grasse, including Mul, a well-known figure in the industry, are now pushing to have recognised by the UN's cultural agency, UNESCO. They have been joined in their crusade by France's perfume makers as well as the companies responsible for processing their raw materials. Grasse, a town of around 50,000 people, has been associated with perfume since the 17th century under Louis XIV when the area's leather makers - there since the Middle Ages - began to create scented oil to fragrance their wares, particularly gloves. The sun king is rumoured to have used so much that the scent made him ill. Fields of flowers began to speckle the region as a result of the demand for floral oils. A property boom in the 1970s coupled with strong competition from cheaper overseas producers threatened the viability of Grasse's perfume industry. Despite the headwinds, Grasse has since reasserted its position at the forefront of global perfume manufacturing, hosting famous names like Robertet and Fragonard and employing as many as 3,000 people. Today perfumes are heavily associated with fashion and celebrities, a trend started by Coco Chanel's N°5 in 1921. Since then perfumes have become a core part of a designer's franchise with the world's leading luxury company LVMH opening a perfume testing laboratory in Grasse in September. The base will develop the next generation of scents for Dior and Louis Vuitton and help secure Grasse's position as a global hub for perfume. Several other renowned perfumes come directly from factories in and around Grasse using both natural and synthetic ingredients from across the world. "Such a concentration of know-how doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. It's here that you have to come to perfect a natural product," said Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud, the son and grandson of Grasse perfume makers and now a designer and "nose" for Louis Vuitton. He has joined the chorus calling for Grasse's centuries of perfume expertise to be added to UNESCO's list of "intangible cultural heritage" following France's application in March 2015. While France officially recognised the region's valuable perfume heritage in 2014, it could take years for the United Nations to do the same. It is hoped that Grasse's bid will promote the traditional oral teaching of perfume-making techniques. "A very colourful language, unique to perfumers, allows us to communicate emotion very quickly. With my father I understand instantly," said Cavallier-Belletrud. "A perfume is an idea and a collection of emotions that can be shared." Carole Biancalana, a fourth generation grower of flowers for perfume, said that it is vital that Grasse's heritage be recognised to celebrate its history and secure its future. "It is important to help label our heritage, to attract young people into the profession, and to pay tribute to past generations," she said.

Perfumers in France campaign for UN recognition

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