Three killed in fire at retirement home near Paris

Another eight people were injured in the blaze on Saturday at the residence located in the town of Bouffemont.

"This is a serious event for our town," Mayor Michel Lacoux said.

"It seems to have been an accident."

Lacoux said the fire was under control at the residence, which was home to 75 elderly residents. 

Speaking to BFM TV, he said the fire was thought to have started in a laundry room and spread to part of the third floor of the building.

Commandant Adrien Ponin-Sinapayen, spokesman for France's civil defence agency, said the fire was extinguished after 140 firefighters were deployed to the scene.

Australian Associated Press