Fire near French city of Lyon kills 10, including 5 children

Police officer stands by a firefighter truck next to apartment buildings seen in background at Le Mas du Taureau neighborhood, in Vauls en Velin, outside Lyon, central France, Dec 16, 2022. French authorities say 10 people including five children died in a fire in an apartment building outside the city of Lyon. The cause of the fire is being investigated. (LAURENT CIPRIANI / AP)

PARIS — Ten people, including five children aged 3 to 15 years, were killed after a fire broke out on Friday morning at a residential building in Vaulx-en-Velin, near the French city of Lyon, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.

Darmanin said the cause of the fire was not known at this stage.

Around 180 firefighters were at the site. The fire was now extinguished

READ MORE: Paris building fire claims 10 lives; arson suspected

"There are several scenarios and a probe will be opened," he said, adding he was in touch with President Emmanuel Macron over the incident.

Around 180 firefighters were at the site. The fire was now extinguished, Darmanin said, adding he was heading to the site.

The fire occurred in the early hours of Friday morning at a seven-storey residential building. A security cordon has been set up at the site, the authority of the Rhone area said.