flame

The initial staging area, which was in the path of the evacuation route and the fire, was consumed by flames within 30 minutes, the report said.

It was about an hour before flames were first spotted, but he smelled smoke.

He allegedly told the witness he had “been down the hill at a house party” when he noticed the flames.

Meanwhile, a van burst into flames on the same street as the prime minister's residence on the Rue de Varenne on Tuesday morning, in what commentators suggested was symbolic of the continuing political crisis.

Videos shared to social media showed the large, beachfront home emitting black smoke and engulfed in flames.