The roof of the university science library in Lyon was rocked by a powerful explosion Thursday, shortly after 9 a.m. local time.
Explosion sur le campus de la Doua à Lyon (bâtiment Mendes) pic.twitter.com/btbeEiG2KJ
— Bobi (@eliote_sama) January 17, 2019
People have been advised to avoid the area.
#lyon #lyon1 pic.twitter.com/WkZG4aMDBl
— Podeus (@podeus69) January 17, 2019
According to the university's official Twitter account, three people sustained minor injuries and the fire is under control.
Point situation #IncendieMendel: À ce stade, il y a 3 blessés légers.
— Université Lyon 1 (@UnivLyon1) January 17, 2019
Interdiction d'accès pour les bâtiments Déambulatoire, Mendel, Berthollet, Omega. Les autres bâtiments peuvent être ré-intégrés. Le feu est sous contrôle.
Restoration work had been ongoing on the roof and a gas bottle explosion is believed to be what started the fire, according to police.
Firefighters arrived at the scene to tackle the blaze, and the plumes of black smoke rising from the fire can be seen from almost anywhere in Lyon.
