France: 10 killed including 5 children in apartment block fire near Lyon
Ten people, including five children, were killed -- according to a provisional death toll -- after a fire broke out overnight on Friday at a residential building in Vaulx-en-Velin, near the French city of Lyon, local authorities said.
The Lyon and Rhone regional authority said the cause of the fire was not known at this stage. Around 170 firefighters were at the site.
The fire occurred at around 3am local time on Friday morning at a seven-storey block of flats in Vaulx-en-Velin, a suburb to the east of the city. A security cordon has been set up at the site of the blaze, added the local authority.
French media reports say four people are receiving emergency treatment, while another 10 were more lightly injured.
The fire is said to have been brought under control.
French Interior Minister Gérard Darmanin along with Housing Minister Olivier Klein said they were on their way to Vaulx-en-Velin.
"I am going to the scene this morning to be with the residents, the elected officials and the emergency services," Klein said on Twitter.
Describing the provisional toll as "chilling", the minister said he had spoken to the mayor of the town, Hélène Geoffroy, "to assure her of the State's support".
More details to follow.
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