Friday, 3 July 1998
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Eternal flame succumbs to beer

PARIS -- A Mexican football fan incurred the wrath of the host nation yesterday after being arrested for putting out the 77-year-old eternal flame at the Arc de Triomphe.

The man doused the flame at the site of the unknown soldier with a glass of beer and was arrested on public drunkenness and disturbance of the peace charges. The Mexican ambassador was at a special ceremony last night to relight the flame. -- Sapa-DPA