This footage was filmed and produced 1 May 2023.

A large fire broke out on Place de la Nation in Paris, on Monday, 1st of May, amid the May Day protests.

Protesters started the fire by setting a pile of debris ablaze, but lost control when the fire spread to a nearby gas canister. The canister then ruptured, spreading flaming gasoline on the street, engulfing a store front and a row of bike racks.

The protests took place among ongoing demonstrations over a pension reform passed by French President Emmanuel Macron.

According to labour unions, over half a million protesters took to the streets of the French capital on Monday, while the Paris prefecture estimates the number to be 112 000. The prefecture also said 111 protesters were arrested and 25 police were injured.