Two firefighters killed and one saved from under the rubble in powerful gas explosion in Paris

Two firefighters were killed and 47 people injured in a powerful explosion  at a Paris bakery Saturday. The explosion was so powerful that it blew out windows and overturned cars.

Firefighters pulled injured victims from windows and evacuated residents as heavy smoke rose over Rue de Trevise in the 9th arrondissement of north-central Paris.

France's interior minister had first claimed that four firefighters have been killed in the bakery blast, but the prosecutor´s office later corrected the number to two dead firefighters,

Authorities say 10 people were in critical condition and 37 others less seriously injured.

One firefighter rescued from under a collapsed building

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told reporters at the scene "unfortunately the human toll is particularly serious." He paid homage to the courage of rescuers who  saved the life of one firefighter who was buried under the rubble for two and a half hours.

Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said that the cause appears to be an accidental gas leak. He said that Paris firefighters were already at the scene to investigate a suspected gas leak at the bakery when the explosion happened.

Authorities say around 200 firefighters and police were involved in the operation.

The bakery is very close to  the Folies-Bergere theatre and to the shopping district, including the famous headquarters of Galeries Lafayette.

The explosion occurred while the French capital was already on edge and under heavy security for yellow vest protests around the country.