FRENCH POLICE KILL MAN SUSPECTED OF SETTING FIRE TO SYNAGOGUE IN ROUEN. (PHOTO).

 French police kill man suspected of setting fire to synagogue in Rouen

Local prosecutor says two investigations into arson attempt and death of unidentified suspect are under way.

Police in France have shot dead an armed man who was suspected of setting fire to a synagogue in the northern city of Rouen, the authorities said.

On Friday, police intervened at about 6:45am (04:45 GMT) after smoke was reported at the synagogue. A man at the scene, reportedly carrying a knife and a crowbar, threatened a police officer, who then “used his weapon”, said the Rouen prosecutor.

ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE:

"French reports say the suspect had been served with an expulsion order and was in the process of appealing against it.

Police were called at around 06:45 (04:45 GMT) after smoke was seen rising from the synagogue. The attacker climbed on a large waste bin and threw a petrol bomb through a small window, setting the synagogue alight.

Two police officers reached the scene fast, after the man was spotted on security cameras. The suspect was on the roof of the synagogue when they arrived, according to prosecutors. After threatening the pair he then threw a chisel at them before jumping down to the ground, brandishing a knife.

"The officer opened fire five times, hitting the individual four times," said Rouen public prosecutor Frédéric Teillet, explaining that he had seen the footage on the security cameras."