Fires near Gare de Lyon train station in Paris

A large fire broke out Friday in southeastern Paris near the Gare de Lyon train station, according to a tweet from the Paris Police.

BFM Television reported that the fire began on the sidelines of a concert by Congolese singer Fally Ipupa in the area, according to Reuters. The concert was scheduled to take place later this evening at Accorhotels Arena.

The police said the station was evacuated and advised people to avoid the area to allow for emergency services to intervene. They did not elaborate on the causes of the fire, but later tweeted that the blaze was under control. They said that rescue intervention was still in progress.

The Paris police prefecture said there was “unacceptable” violence being carried out on the margins of a concert in Bercy, near the train station.

Firefighters said they had controlled the blaze that was in the process of being put out

Police confirmed reports on social media that firefighters were blocked by protesters from getting to the blaze – behaviour the police called “scandalous”.

Photos on social media showed thick black smoke rising from near the train station, which police said the public should avoid.

Via CNBC / Euronews/ Twitter