BLAZE DESTROYS HISTORIC FOOD MARKET

PARIS, OCTOBER 12 /SRNA-Reuters/ - A major fire destroyed Paris' oldest covered food market early this morning, authorities said.

Ariel Weil, an official in central Paris, said the famous Marche des Enfants Rouges /Market of the Red Children/ had been completely destroyed.

According to local media, the fire broke out at around 3.00 this morning. The cause has not yet been determined.

The market was established in 1615 during the reign of Louis XIII in the Marais district. It took its name from a nearby orphanage whose children wore red clothing.