8 die in worst arson attack in Paris for 10 years

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Eight people, including two children, died in an arson attack in Paris overnight, the worst such criminal fire in ten years in the French capital, police said Wednesday.
The blaze, according to statements from the fire department, took hold in two different areas in a residential building in the northern, popular 18th District of the city, popularly known as "La Goutte D'Or" (The Drop of Gold).
The fire services were called twice to the building to deal with separate fires and this has led to the establishment of a "criminal investigation", the Interior Ministry said in statements.
The area of the arson is known for its multi-ethnic character and is home to many immigrants and foreign residents from poorer countries.
The atmosphere relative to migrants and immigration here is relatively high-profile here given the influx to Europe of 340,000 refugees and migrants since January, many of them from war-torn zones in the Middle East and Africa.
Extreme-right and ultraconservative groups here are calling for zero immigration and for France to refuse to help the fleeing refugees and expel illegal entrants, but the government says it will do its part to help within a European initiative to address the growing crisis.