Last Friday Parisian police evicted 140 West Africans who had been living in two run-down buildings in poor sections of the capital. Their action was so sudden, that frightened people, who were forced to leave the buildings, did not even have time even to pack their meager belongings.
The event coincided with the next fire, started by three teenage girls, in suburban Paris, L'Hay -les - Roses. According to police sources two of the girls are 18 and one is 16.
The minister, who promised severe punishment for perpetrators of the crimes, suggested on French television that it was probable that "copycats were at work" saying "Each time there is a sensational news story there is the temptation for others to copy the crime without considering the consequences''.
