At least three people died after a fire erupted following a suspected explosion that occurred at an eight-storey apartment building in Paris on Sunday (April 7, 2024).

The origin of the explosion is still not known.

According to French news channel BFMTV, 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, reported Xinhua news agency.

Seventeen fire engines from the Paris fire brigade rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control.

Preliminary indications show that an explosion was heard in the early evening before the fire broke out, but the cause of the blast has yet to be determined, French newspaper Le Parisien reported as quoted by Xinhua.

A criminal investigation into the incident has been launched.

Police have not ruled out the possibility of a gas explosion.