13 people have been killed and 6 injured after a fire swept through a bar in the city of Rouen in northern France. Police said candles and sparklers from a birthday cake fell to floor, setting the carpet on fire. The incident happened in the basement of the bar and quickly engulfed the room where around 20 people were celebrating.

One of those injured in the blaze suffered 90 per cent burns and is currently in a critical condition. France's interior ministry said an investigation is underway into the cause of the fire, which Rouen's mayor Yvon Robert described as "totally accidental".