Explosion in Paris building causes huge fire, leaves 24 injured

A powerful explosion at a building on the Left Bank of the Seine river in Paris on Wednesday injured 24 people and started a fire that sent clouds of smoke over the city’s monuments and forced the evacuation of surrounding buildings, police said. The cause of the explosion was initially unknown.

The facade of a building in the 5th district, or mayor’s office, collapsed and emergency services were trying to determine if there were any people inside, a police officer said. The explosion occurred near the historic Val de Grace military hospital.

A police source told the AP that 24 people were injured, including four in critical condition and 20 with less severe injuries. The source said the injuries were mostly caused when people were knocked over by the force of the blast.

Police chief Laurent Nunez told reporters that seven people were in “emergency situation”. She did not clarify if his lives were in danger.

The flames were contained but not extinguished, Nunez said.

The ward’s mayor, Florence Berthout, said “the explosion was extremely violent”, with pieces of glass continuing to fall from the buildings.

The smell of smoke lingered in the air as a plume of gray dissipated as firefighters battled the flames. The district was cordoned off and dozens of first responders, police and soldiers occupied the streets.

Police spokeswoman Loubna Atta said the origin of the fire could not yet be determined, nor could it be confirmed that it was a gas explosion.

A student who gave his name only as Achille said he was about 100 meters from where the explosion occurred.

“I was sitting on the window sill and we moved two meters from the window due to a small bang and great fear”, he told the BFM television channel.

“We came down (from the building) and saw the flames.” said. “The police were very supportive and quickly evacuated us.”

Source: AP