Arson Attack Forces Closure of Val-Fourré Ice Rink in Mantes-la-Jolie
Two masked individuals assaulted a security guard and set fire to the temporary ice rink, leaving the community outraged and the facility irreparably damaged.
- The arson occurred overnight on December 30–31, targeting the temporary ice rink in the Val-Fourré district of Mantes-la-Jolie, Yvelines.
- Two masked assailants, dressed in black, threatened the on-site security guard with a knife before setting fire to storage chalets used for ice skates.
- The fire caused significant damage, destroying the rink’s infrastructure and forcing its closure ahead of its planned January 5 end date.
- Mayor Raphaël Cognet condemned the act as a senseless crime, expressing sadness and anger on behalf of the community and calling for severe punishment for the perpetrators.
- The free ice rink, installed on December 13, had attracted thousands of families and was intended to provide festive joy for local children during the holiday season.
Le Journal du Dimanche 