A VIOLENT gas explosion in the eastern French city of Dijon left several people injured and at least one person trapped under rubble.
Police said at least nine people were injured in the Friday morning blast, which was so powerful it also brought down a two-storey building.
Dramatic photos showed mounds of twisted concrete and metal and rescue crews attempting to reach at least one person trapped beneath the debris.
Two others are said to be in a critical condition and images of people being stretchered from the scene have been playing on French television.
Eight of the victims are being treated at a hospital in the city, the historic home of France's most famous mustard which lies three hours southeast of Paris.
Fire, police and ambulance crews rushed to the scene of the explosion in the centre of Dijon at 9.30am this morning.
Specialist emergency rescue teams were also dispatched to help clear the debris and reach the trapped person.
Plumes of thick white smoke billowed from the surrounding houses in the city, which is the capital of the province of Burgundy.
Local Councillor Laurent Bourguignat said paramedics and rescue teams were at the scene on Rue Pierre Paillot - less than 200 metres away from the town’s main train station.
Reports said the local attorney had ruled out terrorism, saying the explosion was the result of an accident or a suicide attempt.
Mayor Francois Rebsamen said the explosion was "not an attack".
He said witnesses complained of a strong smell of gas and described it as a domestic accident.
Police said at least nine people were injured in the Friday morning blast, which was so powerful it also brought down a two-storey building.
Two others are said to be in a critical condition and images of people being stretchered from the scene have been playing on French television.
Fire, police and ambulance crews rushed to the scene of the explosion in the centre of Dijon at 9.30am this morning.
Specialist emergency rescue teams were also dispatched to help clear the debris and reach the trapped person.
Reports said the local attorney had ruled out terrorism, saying the explosion was the result of an accident or a suicide attempt.
Mayor Francois Rebsamen said the explosion was "not an attack".
He said witnesses complained of a strong smell of gas and described it as a domestic accident.
Someone reacted through a tweet about the the huge explosion;
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