Latest: The death toll for the bakery explosion has been revised down to two, not four as previously given by the interior minister.
The victims of the blast are both firefighters, officials said.
The French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner confirmed this in a tweet, and said that ten people are in a critical condition.
He said that another 37 people were injured.
À cette heure, 2 sapeurs-pompiers de la brigade des @PompiersParis sont décédés.
10 personnes sont en urgence absolue dont un sapeur-pompier.
37 personnes sont en urgence relative.
Immense tristesse. Soutien aux familles des victimes.
La Nation s’incline devant leur douleur. pic.twitter.com/sXbEETBLuD— Christophe Castaner (@CCastaner) January 12, 2019
Update - 12.15pm: Four people killed in Paris bakery blast, French interior minister says
The French interior minister says that four people have been killed, including two firefighters, in the Paris bakery blast.
Dozens of people, including several who are in a critical condition, have been injured in the blast that was apparently caused by a gas leak, officials say.
Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said that the cause appears to be an accidental gas leak. He said that Paris firefighters were already at the scene to investigate a suspected gas leak at the bakery when the explosion happened.
An investigation was opened to determine the exact cause of the blast, he said.
Witnesses described the overwhelming sound of the blast and people trapped inside nearby buildings.
Charred debris and broken glass covered the pavement around the apartment building housing the bakery, which resembled a blackened carcass.
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said “the situation is under control”. After visiting the scene, he described his “shock” at seeing the damage, and said around 200 firefighters and police were involved in the operation.
Earlier: 36 people, including 12 in a critical condition, have been injured in an explosion at a bakery in Paris that was apparently caused by a gas leak, officials say.
Paris fire department spokesman Eric Moulin told reporters at the scene that five people were in a life-threatening condition, including two firefighters.
Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said "at this stage we can say it seems from accidental origin, this would be a gas leak".
He said that Paris firefighters were already at the scene for a suspected gas leak on Saturday morning when the explosion happened.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the blast.
Witnesses described the overwhelming sound of the blast.
Charred debris and broken glass covered the pavement around the apartment building housing the bakery, which resembled a blackened carcass.
Earlier: 'Several people injured' in Paris bakery explosion, police say
A powerful explosion and fire apparently caused by a gas leak at a Paris bakery has injured several people, blasted out windows and overturned cars, police said.
Firefighters work at the scene. Photo: AP/Kamil Zihnioglu
Firefighters pulled injured victims out of windows and evacuated residents as smoke billowed out of the building on Rue de Trevise in the 9th arrondissement of north-central Paris.
Witnesses described on French television the overwhelming sound of the blast and people trapped inside nearby buildings.
A Paris police spokeswoman said several injuries have been reported to police, but no deaths.
Silver-helmeted firefighters and red fire engines filled the street and inspected adjoining courtyards.
Debris from a burned car and broken glass littered the pavement. A vehicle from gas company GRDF was stationed nearby.
The building is around the corner from the Folies-Bergere theatre and not far from the shopping district that includes the famed headquarters of Galeries Lafayette.
The explosion came amid heavy security in Paris and around France for yellow vest protests expected later today.
PA & Digital Desk
