At least eight people died in western Paris on Tuesday morning when a huge fire ripped through an apartment block.
One woman has been placed in custody as part of the investigation with the authorities favouring a "criminal" cause for the blaze, Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said.
At least thirty were injured, including one seriously.
'Save these people'
The fire started shortly after midnight on the upper floors of an eight-storey building on rue Erlanger, in the city's 16th arrondissement.
Clement Cogon from the Paris fire service told BFM TV that "it was a particularly violent fire."
Paris-based social media user Laetitia Chevallier said she could see people who had fled to the roof in order to escape the flames.
"Save these people," she tweeted to the Paris fire brigade.
Other nearby residents posted footage showing the enormous response from emergency services.
The blaze was eventually contained at about 06:00.
'Paris is in mourning'
In a statement posted to Twitter, city mayor Anne Hidalgo said "Paris is in mourning" after waking up to the news of the deadly fire. "My first thoughts are with the families of the missing. I offer them my sincere condolences. I want to tell them my deep sadness and assure them of all my support." "At 9am, the Paris Council will open with a minute of silent in tribute to the victims," she added.
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