Five children among at least 10 killed in fire near France’s Lyon

Footage on social media exhibits an enormous, darkish cloud billowing above a residential constructing in Vaulx-en-Velin.

Policemen guard a safety perimeter as firefighters and rescuers work in a constructing of the Mas du Taureau quarter in Vaulx-en-Velin [Olivier Chassignole/AFP]

Not less than 10 folks, together with 5 youngsters aged three to fifteen, have been killed in a hearth in a residential constructing in Vaulx-en-Velin, close to the French metropolis of Lyon, in accordance with inside minister Gerald Darmanin.

One other 4 folks have been significantly injured within the hearth, which began within the early hours of Friday on the bottom ground earlier than spreading up the seven-storey constructing, rescue authorities informed native media.

The fireplace is now extinguished, however footage on social media confirmed an enormous, darkish cloud billowing above the constructing earlier within the day.

“I used to be woke up by the screams,” a neighbour, Mohamed, informed Le Progres de Lyon newspaper. “We wished to assist folks however the smoke was too heavy. I noticed a useless lady … It’s dramatic.”

Darmanin mentioned the reason for the fireplace was not identified at this stage.

“There are a number of situations and a probe can be opened,” mentioned the minister, who's heading to the positioning.

A neighbour, Rida, informed Le Progres de Lyon: “I informed my child to not go to highschool, he’s shocked. It traumatised him to listen to screams like that, screams of horror. My legs are shaking.”

Almost 170 firefighters had been deployed on the constructing within the northern suburb. Two of them have been calmly injured whereas battling the blaze.