Investigation Underway for Second Fire at Aix-Marseille University

A fire at Aix-Marseille University prompts investigation into possible deliberate intent.

Key Points

  • • Fire broke out on July 5, 2025, at the economics faculty of Aix-Marseille University.
  • • This is the second fire at the site in three years.
  • • Investigations are focusing on an electrical meter as the potential cause.
  • • Local leaders suggest deliberate intent to destroy security cameras.

On July 5, 2025, a fire erupted at the Colbert site of Aix-Marseille University, specifically affecting the faculty of economics and management. This incident marks a troubling recurrence, being the second fire at this location in just three years. Firefighters indicated that the blaze was likely initiated by an electrical meter, but the precise cause remains under investigation by the Marseille Prosecutor's Office.

Local leaders are expressing serious concerns, with Romain Simmarano, president of the collective 'Une génération pour Marseille', suggesting that the fire might have been deliberately set. He speculated that the act could aim to sabotage newly installed security cameras, which had recently been put in place after a lengthy wait for enhanced campus security. This raises significant questions about safety protocols and potential threats within academic institutions in the area.