Emergency services raced to Rue de Treviso in the 9th district of the French capital after a blast at around 9am local time.

The cause of the explosion is not yet known, however there are reports that it was due to a gas leak in a bakery.

4 people were killed; 10 injuried are in critical condition.

Pictures show the windows blown out of a building with rubble strewn across the street.

Fire crews could be seen helping trapped residents from apartments above the shop.