13 dead, 6 injured as fire hits bar in French city

Initial reports indicate the explosion in Rouen, Normandy, was accidental, according to the Rouen Police Department.

The fire started after midnight at a bar where young people had been gathering to celebrate a private birthday party in the northern city of Rouen, the Paris-Normandie newspaper reports.

Local media reported the bar was hosting a birthday party at the time, and the victims were between ages 18 and 25.

He says more than 50 firefighters are battling the blaze in the center of the city.

An official investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the explosion. An elderly priest was killed and three others were injured after being held hostage at a Catholic church by knife-wielding attackers on July 26.

Firefighters took 30 minutes to get the fire under control.

Authorites reportedly expect the death toll to rise.

Emergency services have managed to rescue six people from the blaze.

The bodies of those who died have been taken to a nearby hospital.