Four people, including a child, died in a fire in an apartment building in the city of Reims, eastern France. One child is still being sought, reported Agence France-Presse, citing local authorities, BTA reports.
The fire broke out at around 00:30 local time on the fourth floor of the 11-story block and quickly spread along the facade to the upper floors.
A total of 14 people were injured, two of them in serious condition. Among the injured were children.
About 40 residents were evacuated in the early stages of the fire.
According to eyewitness accounts, before the fire engulfed the building, an explosion was heard, after which the block was engulfed in flames. Eyewitnesses reported that screams could be heard from the building.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the causes of the incident.