[1/6] French police secure the area as firefighters work after several buildings on fire following a gas explosion in the fifth arrondissement of Paris, France, June 21, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesPARIS, June 21 (Reuters) - A gas explosion started a blaze in buildings in the Latin Quarter of central Paris, officials and witnesses said. Journalist Olivier Galzi told BFM TV that he had seen the facade of a nearby building "completely collapse." Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the fire was locted on Rue Saint-Jacques in the 5th arrondissement close to the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Sorbonne University. Reporting by Michel Rose, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Tassilo Hummel, Juliette Jabkhiro, Elizabeth Pineau; Editing by Jean-Michel Belot and Tassilo HummelOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

---

Persons: Gonzalo Fuentes PARIS, Olivier Galzi, BFM, Gerald Darmanin, Jacques, Christopher Gaglione, Michel Rose, Sudip Kar, Tassilo Hummel, Juliette Jabkhiro, Elizabeth Pineau, Jean, Michel Belot Organizations: REUTERS, Police, Rue Saint, Jardin du, Sorbonne University, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Rue, Jardin, Jardin du Luxembourg