Paris: Three Killed In Explosion Followed By Fire

At least 3 people were killed on Sunday after a fire broke out in an eight-storey building in Paris.

As per reports, the fire started at around 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) in the building located at 146 rue de Charonne in the 11th arrondissement of Paris.

A French daily newspaper, Le Parisien, said that the explosion was heard in the early evening before the fire broke out. The cause of the blast remains unknown.

Deputy Mayor, Luc Lebon said, “Neighbors are puzzled as there’s no gas in the building to explain the explosion.”

As per police officials, “An investigation into the incident has been opened for destruction by fire or dangerous means and involuntary homicide. Detectives from the capital’s 2nd judicial police district were assigned to look into the cause of the explosion.”

Police further stated, “One of the dead was a man who fell from a ledge trying to escape the fire. The other two were bodies found inside the apartment.”

Despite the building’s resident’s denials, the authorities have not ruled out the gas trail.

Following the blast, the occupants of the neighbouring buildings were evacuated.

This is the third time in just a few years that an explosion inside a structure has struck the capital. Each incident has resulted in multiple fatalities, raising significant concerns.

According to Le Parisien, on 12 January 2019, an explosion hit Rue de Trevise, in which four people died.

Whereas, last year, on 21 June 2023, 277 rue Saint-Jacques was blown up, as a result of which three people lost their lives.

Further details are awaited.

Also Read: Southern Gaza Palestinians Return as Troops Withdraw: ‘Nothing Left’