London, Aug. 6: At least 13 people have reportedly been killed in a fire at a bar in the French city of Rouen in the wee hours of Saturday.
The fire broke out in the basement of the Cuba Libre bar, where a private birthday party was being held, reports the Guardian.
At least six people were rescued and as of now they are receiving treatment for injuries. Reports suggest that it took 30 minutes for fire-fighters to extinguish the blaze after they were called in at 12.50 a.m.
local time. It is said that the fire started after candles on the cake were lit at the height of the birthday celebrations, with the flames spreading into the ceiling.
The secretary general of the prefecture of Seine-Maritime, Yvan Cordier, said that emergency services had "intervened very quickly".
The mayor of Rouen, Yvon Robert, described the fire as "the greatest catastrophe". Meanwhile, Bernard Cazeneuve, France's minister of the interior said that a judicial inquiry was under way.
Source: ANI
