French authorities said a building collapsed in the southern city of Marseille, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.
Local authorities broadcast a picture showed only a pile of rubble and rafters.
Authorities urged parents to avoid the area and make room for emergency services.
The building appeared in the pictures consisted of at least six floors.
Sabin Bernasconi, the mayor of this part of Marseille, said the building was in poor condition and ordered to be evicted, but did not exclude that some "mob" had used it.
