Fire Destroys Paris Historic Enfants Rouges Food Market

A major fire destroyed the historic Marché des Enfants Rouges in central Paris before dawn on Monday, October 12, damaging its metal structure and destroying 17 stalls, according to French fire officials. Emergency crews responded at approximately 4:15 a.m. as flames consumed the covered market in the city's Marais neighborhood. No injuries were reported, and authorities launched an investigation into the cause.

The Paris Fire Brigade said the blaze engulfed the market's approximately 1,000 square meters, or about 10,764 square feet. Firefighters deployed nine hoses, including two high-powered units, to bring the fire under control. Officials said the flames had spread extensively before emergency crews arrived.

Lt. Col. Pierre de Bouvier, a Paris fire official, described the extent of the destruction at the scene.

"Nothing remains," de Bouvier told reporters.

Firefighters had been called at about 4:15 a.m., when the blaze had already engulfed approximately 10,000 square feet of the market, according to de Bouvier. The precise cause of the fire remained unknown.

Ariel Weil, the mayor of central Paris, confirmed the severity of the damage in statements on Monday.

"Alas, the market was ravaged by flames early this morning," Weil said.

Weil also warned the public to stay away from the affected streets as emergency operations continued.

"The fire is under control, but the market is totally devastated," Weil said.

He issued a separate warning about the surrounding area.

"Avoid the area around Rue de Bretagne," Weil said.

The Paris Fire Brigade said the rapid response had not prevented the flames from spreading throughout the covered structure.

"Despite the rapid intervention of emergency services, the fire completely engulfed the 1,000 square meters occupied by the covered market," the brigade said.

The market dates to 1615 and is recognized as the oldest covered food market in Paris. It was listed as a historical monument in 1982, making the destruction a significant loss for a site with more than four centuries of history.

According to historical accounts cited by ABC News, the market's name refers to the red clothing worn by orphans who lived at a nearby hospital. The hospital closed in 1772.

Emmanuel Grégoire, the mayor of Paris, described the destruction as the loss of part of the capital's heritage.

"A piece of Paris's history has gone up in smoke," Grégoire said.

He said city officials would work to limit the disruption to merchants whose stalls had been destroyed.

"We will find temporary locations for the businesses so that all their activities can be maintained," Grégoire said.

The mayor confirmed that authorities had begun investigating the fire's origin.

"An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire," Grégoire said.

The market had long served residents and visitors seeking traditional French products, including cheese, bread, wine and fresh vegetables. Its food stalls also offered dishes influenced by Caribbean, North African and Levantine cuisines, reflecting the diversity of Paris's food culture.

Bahia Lahlou, a 21-year-old student who lives in the neighborhood, recalled visiting the market during childhood.

"I used to go there when I was little," Lahlou said.

Authorities had not announced the cause of the fire, while city officials pledged to arrange temporary locations for affected businesses.