Hundreds of firefighters clashed with police during a protest in the northern French city of Lille, where crews demonstrated over low pay, staff shortages and demanding working conditions.
About 600 firefighters marched from a local fire station to the headquarters of the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service, lighting flares and setting small fires along the route, as unions said the Nord region was short more than 100 firefighters and existing staff were handling double workloads.
Violence broke out after parts of the building were damaged and fires were lit outside, prompting riot police to intervene.
Firefighters reportedly punched and shoved officers and sprayed them with fire extinguishers, forcing police to retreat before tear gas and batons were used to disperse the crowd.
You’re watching striking firefighters giving the cops a taste of their own medicine in Lille today. Fighting the rich. Hosing their attack dogs. This is what resistance looks like. pic.twitter.com/xHdSKOPgGm
— GhostofDurruti (@DurrutiRiot) January 29, 2026
Union representatives later said the confrontation led to rapid talks with officials, who agreed to fund the recruitment of 50 additional firefighters.
The protest comes amid ongoing unrest across France, where strikes and demonstrations have intensified in recent months over budget pressures, political instability and unpopular austerity measures.
Les pompiers ont envahi des locaux du SDIS Nord à Lille.
Un important incendie est allumé devant le bâtiment.#pompiers #Lille pic.twitter.com/LgCCBt4bim
— Luc Auffret (@LucAuffret) January 29, 2026
