A violent fire in a building in Vaux-en-Velain, in the north-eastern suburbs of Lyon, which occurred overnight from Thursday to Friday, resulted in ten deaths, including five children, and fourteen injuries, of which “fourteen in a state of absolute emergency,” the Rhône prefecture announced, reports AFP.

“Unfortunately, the balance is final: 10 people died in the fire, the causes of which are unknown, including five children aged 3 to 15 years. The investigation will be able to establish them,” said Minister of Internal Affairs Gerald Darmanin.

“It’s a shock, the casualties are extremely serious (…) I spoke to the president of the Republic,” he said before leaving the prefecture in Paris to head to the scene.

The fire, whose “origin is unknown,” is “now extinguished,” according to a statement from the prefecture.

A large security perimeter has been deployed in the residential area, which is in a redevelopment area, and emergency services are at the scene with a large number of ambulances and vehicles.

The fire started on the first floor and spread to the upper floors. The fire broke out shortly after 3 a.m. in the seven-story building, according to the same source, almost 170 firefighters were on the scene. According to the prefecture, two firefighters received minor injuries during the intervention.

The fire took place in the Mas du Toro district, which is being renewed after long being a symbol of problems in the suburbs of Lyon.

In the early 2000s, the city launched a €100 million program to create an environmentally friendly district, increase local shops and develop public transport.