UPDATE - Fire in France kills 10, including 5 children

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM INTERIOR MINISTER

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) - A fire on Friday left 10 people dead, including five children, in southeastern France.

The fire started early morning in Lyon's suburb Vaulx-en-Velin in a seven-story residential building, according to a statement of the prefecture of Rhone.

The fire has been extinguished.

"The cause of the fire remains unknown," the prefecture said, adding: "Ten people, including five children, have died. Four injured people are in critical condition and 10 others, including two firefighters, are slightly injured."

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin visited the site of the incident.

Darmanin said that the 5 children who died were 3 to 15 years of age and that firefighters have rescued 15 people so far.

"Not all the victims have been identified yet," the minister said and added that an investigation has been launched to determine the causes of the fire.

He said it is too early to draw conclusions.