Paris blast injures 21

A suspected gas explosion tore through a building in central Paris today, injuring at least 21 people, four seriously.

Police said it was unlikely that the blast was a criminal attack and firefighters said there may have been a gas leak in the building, near the Paris stock exchange, which houses both apartments and offices .

The victims’ lives were not in danger, said firefighter Jacques Kerdoncuff.

About 180 firecrews rushed to the explosion in rue d’Uzes where the sixth floor had been destroyed.