BREAKING: Gas leak explosion in Paris; 36 injured

A strong explosion tore through a bakery on Rue de Trevise in central Paris Saturday morning and believed to have been tied to a gas leak. More than three dozen are reported to be injured including five critically, and 200 firefighters are battling the blaze.

Paris Fire Department spokesman Eric Moulin said nine people and three firefighters have been seriously injured and two dozen another suffered minor injuries.

Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz the explosion is accidental that was initially a gas leak at around 09:00 in the morning.

Buildings were damaged and cars wrecked in the explosion. People were asked to stay away from the area. Helicopters landed on Place de I’Opera to evacuate the injured.

A resident naked Killian said he was asleep when his windows blew due to powerful explosion. People started going downstairs and only screaming was heard.

Another resident Claire Sallavuard said, “I was sleeping and woke up by the blast wave… I had to walk on the door to leave the room.”

Receptionist at the nearby Diva Hotel, Paula Nagui, said it was an enormous blast.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner later visited the spot assuring situation was under control.

The explosion comes amid such time when Paris and several other cities in France are braced in a new round of anti-government protests by “yellow vest” (because of the color of their high-visibility dress) demonstrators. The explosion is not thought to be connected.

The demonstrators are criticizing government’s policies for the ninth Saturday that started on November 17.