Huge Fire Breaks Out At Paris Train Station

A huge fire has broken out at a train station in Paris.

Videos have surfaced on social media of the blaze at Gare de Lyon station, with police officers evacuating the area as thick smoke billows above.

The fire is related to protests in the area and footage shows firefighters being prevented from tackling a blaze by demonstrators holding up barricades.

Since earlier this afternoon, the surroundings of the AccorHotel Arena and the Bercy Performance Hall have been plagued by scenes of violence and fires ahead of the arrival of Congolese singer Fally Ipupa, according to Le Parisien.

Ipupa is said to be a supporter of politician Félix Tshisekedi, who was elected president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in December 2018, amid allegations of rigging. Activists regularly demonstrate against performers who are perceived to support him.

In 2017, Ipupa had a concert in Paris cancelled due to concerns over public safety.

In a tweet, police condemned the 'unacceptable violence'.

They said: "At #Bercy and Gare de Lyon, unacceptable violence by people who defied the ban on demonstrating on the sidelines of a concert. The @prefpolice renews its firmness guidelines to guarantee public order."

The force also criticised the 'outrageous behaviour' of protesters obstructing firefighters from tackling the blaze.

Topics: World News, France

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey