One dead in Brazil high-rise fire that collapses building

May 1 (UPI) — A fire on Tuesday in Sao Paulo, Brazil, killed at least one person as flames engulfed two high-rise buildings, causing one to collapse.

The 20-story building crumbled to the ground as flames shot toward the top floor. About half of the floors on the second building were engulfed in flames.

Three people were reported missing after the fire started. Authorities said those figures could go up as more people could have been trapped inside. Witnesses said people were on top of buildings, screaming for help.

The building that collapsed, once a federal police headquarters, had been occupied by squatters. Sao Paulo Fire Department officials said up to 50 families may have been living there.

More than 150 firefighters battled the blaze, which authorities believe was caused by a gas explosion.