Fire breaks out at Banque Populaire branch in French city of Tours

By Seyma Erkul Dayanc

ISTANBUL (AA) - A fire broke out at a Banque Populaire branch in the French city of Tours on Saturday, threatening to spread to nearby homes, French broadcaster BFMTV reported, citing a police source.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

The fire broke out amid nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, with the Interior Ministry estimating that 410,000 people took part across France, compared with 800,000 according to the CGT trade union.

In Paris, 110,000 people joined the march from Porte d'Italie to Porte de Vincennes, according to the police prefecture, while the CGT put the turnout at 250,000.

Although demonstrations initially proceeded peacefully, clashes later broke out between police and groups described as hostile in several cities.

The interior minister said over a thousand were arrested across the country and the number could rise.

Şeyma Erkul Dayanç