Unconfirmed reports say the an has hostages inside the apartment building

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Armed police swarmed to Boulevard de Strasbourg in the city’s 10th arrondissement, Strasbourg-Saint-Denis, where they remain after a lengthy stand-off.

Witnesses said the suspect fired shots into the air and a bomb squad was on the scene after the suspect, believed to be from Iran, brandished a gun and said an accomplice nearby had an explosive device.

It is not clear how many hostages the man had in the building he was said to have barricaded them in, but a witness said he appeared to douse hostages in petrol.

According to reports from local media, shots were fired in what police called a “serious incident” and one hostage was a pregnant woman who has since been rescued.