an impressive explosion in the 13th arrondissement, the images

A building in the 13th arrondissement of Paris was engulfed in flames. Two gas canisters exploded on the roof. The residents were evacuated.

Two gas cylinders exploded on the roof of a building in Paris, near Porte d’Ivry, this Tuesday, September 17 in the late afternoon. The six-story building was engulfed in flames, reports The ParisianThe images show an explosion and impressive billows of black smoke. Screams can be heard in amateur videos posted on social media.

The flames broke out around 5 p.m. “Several gas cylinders exploded in a fire that broke out on a roof where waterproofing work was being carried out,” confirmed Jérôme Coumet, mayor of the 13th arrondissement of the capital. “In the explosion, one of the cylinders was thrown, which requires the establishment of a security perimeter.” The police laboratory arrived to determine whether the fire was accidental or criminal, indicated BFMTV.

Risk of possible new explosions

According to the district mayor, the fire was brought under control around 7 p.m. A construction worker was injured, and a firefighter is in relative emergency. “There were two people apparently shocked by this explosion, I hope not hit by projectiles, in any case to my knowledge this is not the case,” said Jérôme Coumet, reports BFMTV.

Three other bottles are still on the roof. New explosions are therefore possible. According to the mayor, the firefighters continued their work by ensuring the safety of the gas bottles. Work was still in progress at 7 p.m. All residents were evacuated. The apartments were not affected. The nearby Masséna school was also evacuated. The children were confined in a gymnasium: in total, 205 people, including 45 adults, took refuge in the Carpentier gymnasium. The T3a tram service was interrupted, and was due to resume around 7 p.m. The “Porte d’Ivry” stop was also not served on metro line 7.