PARIS (AP) -- An explosion tore through a building in central Paris on Wednesday, injuring at least 21 people, four seriously, firefighters said. Police said it was unlikely that the blast was a criminal attack. complain.
Firefighters said there may have been a gas leak in the building, which houses both residential apartments and offices and is located a few blocks from the Paris stock exchange. complain.
The victims' lives were not in danger, firefighter Jacques Kerdoncuff said. complain.
About 180 firefighters rushed to the explosion site. The street, rue d'Uzes, was crowded with rescue vehicles, and doctors set up an emergency medical post in a building down the block. complain.
Rescue workers said the strong blast destroyed the sixth floor of the building, shattering windows and sending debris into the street. complain.
While some witnesses told reporters they smelled gas before the explosion, the national gas company, Gaz de France, said nobody had called to complain.
