A nurse suspected of having deliberately started fires in a private clinic in Aix-en-Provence

Two fires were caused by a nurse in a private clinic in Aix-en-Provence (illustrative image). GOOGLE STREET VIEW SCREENSHOT

During the night of Sunday 24 to Monday 25 March 2024, two fires were started in a private clinic in Aix-en-Provence. A nurse was identified, she set fire in the emergency department to call out the establishment for the lack of security.

At the Provence Private Hospital (HPP), in Aix-en-Provence, two fires were declared. The first around 10 p.m. in an emergency bin, and the second around 11:30 p.m., in the dressing room of the same department.

From the second fire, the firefighters were able to affirm that these fires were arson. Surveillance cameras were able to recognize the face of the nurse behind these acts, she was arrested, indicates La Provence.

She wanted "to attract attention"

The nurse, who denied the alleged facts, decided to confess when she saw the surveillance images, where she was easily identifiable. She wanted "to draw the attention of the hospital administration to the insufficient level of security" , according to the public prosecutor.

Management Response

The management of the private establishment entrusted France 3 Provence-Alpes : "For us, securing emergency services is a priority. We put a lot of things in place".

Several security devices are included in the clinic: "Security airlock and anti-ram bollards at the entrance to the d  rsquo;emergency, surveillance cameras – who were able to identify the culprit – and a fire safety officer present on site 24 hours a day, specify our colleagues.

An open investigation

The nurse, who is said to be psychologically fragile, was referred to the public prosecutor's office this Tuesday March 26, 2024 for immediate appearance in court. The arsonist faces up to ten years in prison for "destruction and damage by dangerous means", according to the prosecutor.