PARIS ON FIRE: Riots reach capital's centre - buildings set ablaze and police attacked
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WIDESPREAD suburban rioting spilled into central Paris last night as hundreds went on the rampage over the alleged rape of a young black man by French police.
Officers were forced to unleash tear-gas on angry crowds as buildings and rubbish bins were set on fire around the Barbes Metro station, which is just around the corner from the Eurostar hub at Gare du Nord.
As fire crews went in to extinguish the blazes, lines of riot police were attacked, and shops were looted.
A policeman at the scene said: “Windows have been smashed and officers attacked.
“Small groups of protestors wearing hoods to hide their identities are causing trouble and then running away.
“Everything is being done to try and disperse the crowds, but this could go on for a long time yet.”
Tension have been high in council estates in the Paris suburbs since February 2, when a man identified only as Theo was beaten up and allegedly raped.