A tower block in Sao Paulo, Brazil, caught fire and collapsed in the early hours of this morning.
The 26-storey crashed to the ground after being engulfed in flames. People were seen jumping from the upper floors in an attempt to escape the fire, according to eyewitnesses.
The tower block was illegally inhabited by local homeless people, according to the Mirror. It wasn't known how many people were inside at the time.
The BBC reports that the fire began around 1.20am local time (4.20am GMT), and that over 100 firefighters attended the scene. The cause of the fire is thought to have been a gas explosion.
Footage of the building collapsing has been shared online, showing huge flames and billowing black smoke.
Flabio Gabia, who works near the building, told Estadao: "When I went to see what it was, the streets were filled with desperate people.
"I heard several people shouting."
The building is reported to be the former headquarters of the Federal Police, however it's been empty for several years and was recently occupied by groups of squatters.
Local resident Victor Hinckel told Globo: "I had come home and I was getting ready to take a shower when my neighbour came and told us to go downstairs.
"When we got downstairs... people were jumping, very sad."
A neighbouring building was evacuated, shortly before it caught fire. A spokesperson from the fire department said the second building wasn't in danger of collapsing.
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Another neighbour told Folha: "It felt like a tsunami when the building came down. I could not take anything with me."
The BBC adds that at least one person has died in the fire. A rescue mission is currently underway.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: World News, Brazil