Ten people, including five children aged between three and 15 years old, have been killed in a fire near the French city of Lyon.

The blaze broke out at a seven-storey residential building in Vaulx-en-Velin in the early hours of Friday, according to interior minister Gerald Darmanin.

Around 180 firefighters attended and a security cordon was put in place.

A photograph of the scene was posted on social media by minister delegate for cities and housing Olivier Klein.

The cause of the fire was not known at this stage, he said.

“There are several scenarios and a probe will be opened,” Mr Darmanin said, adding he was in touch with President Emmanuel Macron over the tragedy.

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