At least 37 injured after gas explosion sparks blaze in Paris

Police tell people to avoid Val-de-Grace area after several buildings catch fire in fifth arrondissement

At least 37 people have been injured, four of whom are in a critical condition, after a gas explosion sparked a blaze in buildings in the Latin Quarter of Paris.

The blast happened in the fifth arrondissement at about 5pm on Wednesday and resulted in several buildings catching fire, local officials said.