A building in a French city falls.

At least five people were injured after a four-story residential building collapsed and caused a major fire in the French port city of Marseilles, Mayor Benoit Payan has said. Locals told the media that they heard a "huge explosion" in the area overnight. The building in the central district, known for its bar and restaurants, collapsed around 12:40am local time on Sunday. Five people sustained injuries in two neighboring properties, which were also damaged in the incident. Residents have been evacuated from a number of houses in the vicinity.

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the collapse, with regional prefect Christophe Mirmand telling AFP there were "strong suspicions" that the incident had been the result of a gas leak. One local resident told the media that he had heard a "huge explosion" and another added that "everything shook" when the building collapsed. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the collapse, with regional prefect Christophe Mirmand telling AFP there were "strong suspicions" that the incident had been the result of a gas leak.