Ten people, including five children aged between three and 15 years old, have been killed in a fire near the French city of Lyon.

The blaze broke out at a seven-storey residential building in Vaulx-en-Velin in the early hours of Friday, according to interior minister Gerald Darmanin.

The cause of the fire was not known at this stage, he said.

Around 180 firefighters were at the scene and a security cordon is in place.

“There are several scenarios and a probe will be opened,” he said, adding he was in touch with President Emmanuel Macron over the tragedy.

Around 180 firefighters were at the scene and a security cordon is in place.