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Gas explosion rocks French city One dead in French gas explosion
(about 2 hours later)
A gas explosion in the southern French city of Lyon has injured up to 17 people, police say. A gas explosion in the southern French city of Lyon has killed at a fireman and injured at least 26 people.
Two of the victims are in serious condition, police were quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. The explosion ripped through a busy shopping street on Cours Lafayette, in the city centre, around midday.
The blast happened around midday on Cours Lafayette, a busy shopping street in the city centre, during roadworks. Fire engulfed several nearby buildings after the blast, authorities said, and two of the injured remained in serious condition.
Fire engulfed several adjacent buildings after the blast. Many firefighters have been sent to the scene of the explosion. A gas leak had been noticed an hour before the explosion, which happened during road maintenance on the street.
French Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie is on her way to the scene. The fireman had been investigating the source of the gas leak in a basement when the blast occurred, killing him, Lyon Mayor Gerard Colomb told AFP news agency.
Firefighters were sent to the scene in large numbers as the rest of the area was evacuated amid fears of a second blast.
French Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie was on her way to the scene.