A major fire has broken out near a key Parisian railway station, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky as firefighters work to bring the flames under control.
The blaze started on Wednesday morning in the area around Gare d'Austerlitz, in the capital's 13th arrondissement, triggering a significant emergency response. At least eight fire engines have been sent to the scene.
Security cordon and road closure
Officials have set up a security cordon around the area, and Boulevard de l'Hôpital, which runs alongside the station, has been closed off. Video footage shows several columns of smoke rising above the station.
Images from the scene also show firefighters using an aerial platform to tackle flames engulfing a building's roof, with teams working from height as the response continues.
Origin and impact on train services
The fire is believed to have started in a building under construction next to Gare d'Austerlitz. Despite the proximity, train services at the station are operating normally, according to Le Monde.
The station itself has not been impacted or evacuated, though its entrance on the Boulevard de l'Hôpital side has been shut as a precaution. The station and its surroundings have been undergoing major redevelopment since 2023, with the programme scheduled to run until 2028, according to Le Monde.
The full extent of the damage and whether there have been any casualties has yet to be confirmed.
