Investigation into the arson attack on a grocery store in Montpellier: two men still actively sought

Deux hommes aperçus par les caméras de vidéosurveillance juste avant que l'épicerie ne prenne feu. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Le service interdépartemental de police judiciaire est chargé de l'enquête de l'incendie criminel à Montpellier. 

No news, for the moment, of the two individuals filmed by the city's video surveillance cameras near the scene of the tragedy, on the evening of the events. The investigation, entrusted to the interdepartmental judicial police service (SIPJ), is therefore continuing in search of the slightest clue. According to the public prosecutor, Fabrice Bélargent, the two suspects, one of whom was carrying a can of gasoline in his hand, “approached the store shortly before the fire broke out”.

Found dead at the back of the store

Thus confirming the theory of a voluntary and criminal act. Saying that the two criminals knew that the grocer was sleeping on site to protect his establishment is, however, a shortcut that we will not take. One thing is certain, that night, Lakhdar Sebaa, the manager of the Pas-du-Loup grocery store, located at 117 rue du Pas-du-Loup, died in his establishment suffocated by smoke and devoured by flames. He was found lifeless at the back of the store by the Hérault firefighters during the exploration of the premises. He was 70 years old. The same goes for the body of Salah-Eddine El Ibrimi found lying near the Clio 3 that one of his friends had lent him to try to help the grocer.

According to the investigations, the unfortunate man found himself stuck in the passenger compartment while the vehicle was catching fire. He managed to get out as best he could, trapped by the smoke and flames, he was never able to reach the exit and died in the grocery store. He was only 30 years old.

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