AT LEAST seven people, including a newborn baby, are dead after a mystery explosion sparked a horror blaze in a French apartment block.

       French police have now opened an arson inquiry into the deadly fire in the historic Mediterranean coastal town of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salanque.

       7

       The horror blaze tore through the apartment block in South-western France Credit: Sapeurs-Pompiers - SDIS 66 7

       Shocking video shows the explosion ripping through the buildings Credit: Reuters 7

       Firefighters are still searching for other potential victims 7

       At least 7 people are dead after the deadly fire erupted at 1.30am Credit: Sapeurs-Pompiers - SDIS 66

       The terrifying blast - of which the cause remains unknown - occurred at around 1.30am in the early hours of Monday morning before the blaze tore through the adjacent buildings.

       The inferno even reportedly spread across the street in the seaside town, situated around nine miles from the city of Perpignan.

       Local prosecutor Jean-David Cavaillé reported seven confirmed dead by early Monday afternoon, including the tot and another child.

       None of the victims have yet been identified.

       He today announced a "preliminary inquiry" had begun in wake of the devastating incident that saw the floors of several homes collapse.

       Horrified residents in South-western France were evacuated as nearly 100 firefighters attempted to douse the roaring flames.

       One 27-year-old man was rushed to hospital in critical condition after jumping from a second-story window to escape.

       Most read in The Sun

       NOT FRIENDS Matt LeBlanc splits from Top Gear producer girlfriend after five years together

       MEGGY THE MINX Camilla's nickname for 'ungrateful' Meghan Markle revealed by royal expert

       ON THIN ICE DOI fans fuming as Liberty Poole makes major blunder and still gets high scores

       COME BACK! Dancing on Ice fans all say the same thing as Phillip Schofield returns to show

       Others who suffered wounds were being treated in hospital in Perpignan on Monday, said Mr Cavaillé.

       Local Nadine Bret, 59, explained she had heard a "very loud explosion" before suddenly seeing "huge flames".

       "The buildings were ravaged by the flames," she said. "It was total panic."

       She told AFP that building work had been going on in a fast-food restaurant on the ground floor of one of the buildings on Sunday.

       Gas cylinders were reportedly found strewn on the floor close to the building, although it remains unclear if they were a factor in the blast.

       Devastating images show the charred remains of the apartment block, as the debris spilled out onto the street.

       Investigators were said to be unable to enter the building this morning due to the heat, while firefighters trawled through the wreckage to search for other potential victims.

       The severity of the incident led French interior minister Gérald Darmanin to announce he would be delaying his planned trip to Montpellier to visit the site.

       'TRAGIC'

       He wrote in a tweet: "An explosion followed by a fire killed at least 7 people in the Pyrénées-Orientales.

       "I interrupt my trip to Montpellier to go there. I give my full support to the mobilized state services and to the inhabitants.

       "Thoughts to the victims and their loved ones."

       Minister Olivier Dussopt echoed his tributes in a post, adding: "Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. The state is on their side."

       A local police spokesman said: "As well as the shop, around 11 flats were affected by the blast, and a number of floors collapsed.

       "Gas cylinders were found near the building where the blast happened, and it needs to be established if these were used to start the explosion."

       The spokesman said that a psychological aid unit had been set up to support relatives and neighbors evacuated in the middle of the night."

       "Our thoughts are with the victims and their families," said the spokesman.

       "We will mobilise to help them as best we can in these most tragic circumstances."

       7

       The cause of the blast remains unknown, but cops have opened an arson probe Credit: Sapeurs-Pompiers - SDIS 66 7

       One man is in a critical condition after leaping from the second floor to escape Credit: Reuters 7

       Investigators were reportedly still unable to enter the building on Monday due to the heat