French Mayor Blames Parents After Fireworks Spark Park Fire

The mayor of Neuilly-sur-Marne, France, Zartoshte Bakhtiari, has strongly criticized parents for allegedly allowing their children to play with fireworks, leading to a significant fire in the Parc des 33-Hectares. The blaze, which occurred on July 25, ravaged 2.5 hectares of vegetation in the park, also known as "Croissant Vert."

"How could they obtain them? Why are they left unsupervised? Who will assume their responsibility?" Bakhtiari questioned in a social media video released Thursday. He described the situation as "absolutely inadmissible" and "irresponsible," expressing his anger that children around ten years old were reportedly playing with mortars, a type of firework, without adult supervision during the day.

The park is a crucial cooling area for the commune, especially during the current heatwave, and the destruction of over 150 trees has rendered parts of it inaccessible. Bakhtiari lamented the loss, particularly given that the town offers supervised activities for children and adolescents throughout the summer as part of the "Neuilly l'été" program.

"I have only one message: keep an eye on your kids!" the mayor urged, highlighting the danger posed by such activities, especially in a region currently under a yellow forest fire alert. He called for collective responsibility and asked anyone witnessing dangerous behavior or fires to report it immediately to law enforcement. Bakhtiari also reminded the public to be vigilant about discarding cigarette butts and starting unauthorized barbecues.