Scores of protesting firefighters clashed with police in vicious brawls featuring hoses, amid wrangling over staff shortages.
Marching fire brigade members blast truncheon and shield-wielding officers with fire retardant in the bizarre footage.
The mobilised firefighters also torched tyres in the middle of the road, before bundling helmeted police like a rugby scrum.
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At one point, they set waste containers ablaze and even vandalised their own workplace after failing to win concessions in a strike.
The scenes of chaos unfolded in Lille, France, on Thursday (29 Jan).
Demonstrators were protesting a shortage of up to 200 firefighters in the Nord Department – which they say put a huge strain on existing crews – as well as a controversial ban on beards.
Luc Auffret, 27, who filmed the protest, told Need To Know: “More than 600 firefighters gathered in the morning at a fire station near the ring road before blocking traffic with burning tyres.
“They then headed towards the SDIS (Departmental Fire and Rescue Service).
“Tyres were taken from a nearby car garage and a huge tyre fire was lit outside the premises.
“After a delegation was received but no concessions were made, clashes with police broke out.
“Following the clashes, and the invasion and damage to one of the SDIS buildings, the authorities quickly announced the recruitment of 50 firefighters and the end of the beard ban.”
Some of the protesters had travelled to Lille from Douai, Valenciennes and Dunkirk.
Local media reported that tear gas was used during the clashes between firefighters and police.
After five hours of protests, the firefighters finally won concessions.
The Nord Department claimed that it “has never reduced its contribution to the SDIS”, adding: “Since 2021, funding has increased by €1.5m (£1.29m) a year, totalling more than €7m (£6m) to date.”
The firefighters said they will now closely monitor whether the promises are kept.
Luc added: “The movement could continue in the coming weeks.”
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