Firefighters battle blaze at Chile's top theatre

A blaze has damaged the famed Municipal Theater in Chile's capital.

A blanket of smoke poured from the majestic neo-classical structure yesterday before the blaze was put out after about three hours.

The fire began in a second-floor warehouse that stores costumes and props for a production of The Nutcracker.

Damage to the main part of the theater was still being assessed.

The Municipal Theater was inaugurated in 1857 and is Chile's oldest and most important cultural centre.