Explosions sounded on Rue de Varenne in Paris near the Prime Minister's office.
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Explosions rocked Paris this morning. (Image: GETTY)
Explosions rocked central Paris this morning just before a fire broke out near the French Prime Minister's Office. Three explosions rang out outside the Hotel de Matignon, according to witnesses. Firefighters and police officers rushed to the scene this morning.
The explosions were heard in the French capital just a day after PM Sebastien Lecornu resigned. Pictures from the scene show a van on fire as emergency services seek to tackle the blaze. Mr Lecornu’s resignation came just a day after naming his ministers - and just 27 days into the role. His resignation makes it the shortest-lived Government of the Fifth Republic.
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A firefighter told reporters at the scene that the company's equipment, which is used to detect short circuits, caught fire before flames spread through the vehicle.
The Paris fire department said the fire was quickly extinguished, adding that the explosions heard by witnesses were the sound of small aerosol canisters detonating.
The fire did not spread to other buildings, but the awning of a nearby shop has suffered some burns. No injuries have been reported.
More footage shared on social media shows smoke pouring from the burning vehicle.
Incendie en cours rue de Varenne \u00e0 Paris, une camionnette prend feu \u00e0 quelques dizaines de m\u00e8tres de Matignon o\u00f9 sont r\u00e9unis S\u00e9bastien Lecornu, Gabriel Attal et Edouard Philippe notamment @franceinfopic.twitter.com/aN9dOOlL3F
Explosions and fire just after French PM Sébastien Lecornu resigned
The explosions and fire across the street from the Hotel de Matignon, the official residence of the Prime Minister of France come just after Sébastien Lecornu resigned.
It is understood he was due to hold meetings there today.
Lecornu was appointed PM by President Emmanuel Macron on September 9 after the previous government was toppled by a vote of no confidence. He resigned yesterday (October 6) after only 27 days in office.
This makes it the shortest-lived Government of the Fifth Republic
Video from the scene shows emergency services near the burning van in Paris.
Incendie en cours rue de Varenne \u00e0 Paris, une camionnette prend feu \u00e0 quelques dizaines de m\u00e8tres de Matignon o\u00f9 sont r\u00e9unis S\u00e9bastien Lecornu, Gabriel Attal et Edouard Philippe notamment @franceinfopic.twitter.com/aN9dOOlL3F
Welcome to our live blog. Witnesses have reported explosions outside the Prime Minister's office in Paris. We'll be bringing you the latest updates, videos and images from the scene.
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