Brazil Fire: 26-storey Sao Paulo building collapses

A 26-storey building has collapsed after a huge fire engulfed and destroyed it in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo. At least one person was believed to have died.

As many as 160 firefighters in 57 vehicles responded to the massive fire at a building on the Largo do Paisandu street in the center of the city, reported CNN.

The collapsed building, which reached more than 20 stories high, had been occupied by squatters. It had, in the past, served as the headquarters of the Federal Police.

Witnesses said flames spread quickly from one of the lower floors.

Seven other buildings have been reportedly evacuated in the surrounding area and a large area around the blaze has been cordoned off.

According to the Brazilian media one firefighter was injured.

There is no official information on the number of missing persons or on the identity of the one deceased by far.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

President Michel Temer, who was in Sao Paulo for the May Day holiday, visited the wreckage, according to several media reports.