Law enforcement and fire crews were lured into a violent ambush set by a large group of 'very young people' in the commune of Mantes-la-Jolie, France, authorities say.
A night of urban violence unfolded on Wednesday night as emergency crews were called to the scene of a dumpster fire in the Val-Fourré district at approximately 11 p.m.
Fire crews and accompanying police patrols reportedly came under attack of fireworks and explosives detonated by a group of approximately 50 'young people' at the scene.
"These projectile discharges resulted in significant material damage," BFMTV reports. "Six vehicles, including three trucks, were set on fire, along with a dozen garbage cans and a clothing container."
"Two windows in the town hall annex were smashed, while a bus shelter and a candelabra were damaged. The ice rink, also damaged, was the target of an attempted intrusion. A telephone store was also ransacked and looted."
A recently-formed police unit specializing in 'urban warfare' called CRS 8 was reportedly deployed to the scene to restore order, which did not occur until nearly 5 a.m.
No arrests were made at the time of the incident.
"Between five and seven vehicles were reportedly burned. There was an attempted intrusion into the annexed town hall of the Val Fourré district and into the ice rink which is a public building belonging to the Grand Paris-Seine and Oise urban community," explained Mayor Raphaël Cognet, who described the assailants as "very young."
"There was obviously a desire on the part of these people to lure the police into a number of ambushes."
This latest ambush comes amid a heated debate over violent crime and lawlessness tied to mass migration and the spread of Islam in France.