A massive blaze has broken out close to a key Parisian railway station, with dense clouds of smoke rising into the air as fire crews race to combat the inferno.
The fire ignited on Wednesday morning in the vicinity of Gare d'Austerlitz, located in the capital's 13th arrondissement, triggering a substantial emergency operation.
Emergency response and safety measures
A minimum of eight fire appliances have been sent to the location as teams attempt to extinguish the flames. Authorities have set up a safety perimeter surrounding the vicinity, while Boulevard de l'Hôpital, which borders the station, has been shut off.
Footage captured at the scene reveals multiple columns of smoke ascending above the station while emergency personnel fight the fire. Photographs also depict firefighters deploying an elevated platform to address flames consuming a building's rooftop, with teams operating from height as the emergency operation proceeds.
Origin of the blaze and impact on services
The blaze is understood to have started in a structure currently being developed next to Gare d'Austerlitz. Train services at Gare d'Austerlitz are continuing to run normally despite the major fire nearby, according to Le Monde.
The station itself has not been affected or evacuated, but its entrance on the Boulevard de l'Hôpital side has been closed as a safety precaution.
Ongoing redevelopment and current status
The station and its neighbouring vicinity have been subject to extensive modernisation projects since 2023, with the redevelopment programme due to run until 2028, according to French publication Le Monde.
The complete scale of destruction and whether any casualties have occurred remain unconfirmed at this stage.
