A fire broke out in a building in Paris on Wednesday after a gas explosion, leaving seven people seriously injured and nine with non-critical injuries, according to BFMTV, CNN’s affiliate, citing the police. More than five firefighting teams were seen battling the flames, with over seven ambulances lining the Rue Saint Jacques. Approximately 230 firefighters were deployed in the area and managed to contain the fire after a few hours. A video of the scene showed part of the building that caught fire collapsing.
Witnesses reported feeling the explosion, describing it as similar to an earthquake. Doors in nearby buildings were slammed shut by the pressure of the blast. Authorities prevented residents from returning to their homes in the surrounding streets. The local deputy mayor, Édouard Civel, later confirmed on Twitter that the incident was caused by a gas explosion.
Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, visited the site later in the day and expressed her thoughts for the victims and their loved ones. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who was in Nancy at the time, will cut short his trip to return to Paris and address the accident.
The exact cause of the gas explosion is still under investigation, but the city prosecutors have opened a case into “involuntary injuries,” a term typically used when injuries are caused by an accident. The situation is still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Source: CNN
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A fire broke out in a building in Paris on Wednesday following a gas explosion. According to BFMTV, CNN’s affiliate, the fire resulted in seven people sustaining serious injuries, while nine others suffered non-critical injuries. Over five firefighting teams and seven ambulances were present at the scene on Rue Saint Jacques, with approximately 230 firefighters deployed to contain the fire, which was eventually brought under control after several hours. The incident also led to a part of the building collapsing, as shown in a video of the scene.
Witnesses reported feeling the explosion, likening it to an earthquake. The force of the blast caused doors in surrounding buildings to slam shut. As a precautionary measure, authorities prohibited residents from reentering their homes in the affected area. Édouard Civel, the local deputy mayor, later confirmed on Twitter that the gas explosion was the cause of the incident.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo visited the site later in the day and expressed her thoughts for the victims and their families. Meanwhile, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who was in Nancy at the time, will be cutting short his trip to address the accident in Paris.
While the exact cause of the gas explosion is still under investigation, city prosecutors have opened a case for “involuntary injuries,” a term commonly used when injuries are caused by accidents. The situation is still unfolding, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Source: CNN
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