Cooler but still well above normal this week

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

An abandoned 26-story building in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil, caught fire and collapsed early Tuesday, showering the surrounding streets with fiery embers and killing at least one person, firefighters said.

About 150 firefighters were battling the blaze, which started at about 1:30 a.m. local time. It is thought to have been caused by a gas explosion, according to reports.

About 50 families had lived as squatters in the building since it was abandoned as the headquarters of the federal police, reports said.

Firefighters said at least one person died in the collapse, according to The Associated Press.

Romulo de Souza, 49, tells the AP that he was among the squatters in the building, which he said caught fire on the fourth floor. He said most people got out.

Disasters

Scott Neuman

Author

About 50 families had lived as squatters in the 26-story building in downtown Sao Paulo since it was abandoned as the headquarters of the federal police, reports said.

High-rise in Brazil collapses after massive fire; at least 1 dead

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox