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French police shoot man who set fire to town hall

The man was shot and seriously injured on Wednesday in Angoulême town hall in southwestern France after he set fire to the 19th century building using petrol, police and local authorities said. The fire was rapidly brought under control.

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Police shot and gravely wounded a man Wednesday after he set fire to the town hall in western French city of Angoulême, local authorities and police sources said, reports FRANCE 24.

Wearing military battledress, the 46-year-old burst into the 19th-century building and poured petrol around a first-floor room where two women aides to local councillors were working.

"He poured petrol in the room, while the aides managed to get out and cry for help, alerting local police," prefect Jerôme Harnois told a press conference.

Read more of this report from FRANCE 24