Huge fire destroys warehouse at giant Paris wholesale market

A major blaze swept through part of one of the world's biggest fresh produce markets on the outskirts of Paris on Sunday.

The fire destroyed a fruit and vegetable warehouse at the Rungis complex to the south of the French capital.

Flames spread shortly after noon, the authorities said, sending a dark plume of smoke billowing over the southern suburbs.

A hundred firefighters brought the fire under control by mid-afternoon and there were no injuries, the fire brigade said.

The warehouse, about the size of a football pitch, belonged to Les Halles Mandar group.

"It's a shock, but we're glad there were no injuries", boss Shaoul Abramczyk said.

"We will not be able to fulfil our partners' orders from tomorrow (Monday) and for several days", he added.

"When a market operator is the victim of a tragedy of this nature, the whole market is struck at its heart", Rungis market head Stephane Layani said.

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