Firefighters race to save people trapped by flames on top floors of 13-storey building in Buenos Aires
- Flames engulfed the sixth and seventh floors of the building in Buenos Aires
- Witnesses reported hearing an explosion before seeing the fire
- Several people, including a mother and son, were taken to hospital
Firefighters race to rescue people trapped at the top of a 13-storey building in the heart of Buenos Aires after a massive fire broke out.
The sixth and seventh floors of the building next to the country's Ministry of Labor at 668 Avenida Alem, near the country's coast on the Argentine Sea, were engulfed in smoke and flames just before noon local time.
While people on the lower floors have been evacuated, eight firefighters are still working to rescue those on the upper floors after receiving a call at 11.37am. People within the Ministry of Labor have also been evacuated as a precaution.
Local media reported that at least 12 people were detained on the building's terrace and at the rear of the building.
More than 15 emergency medical vehicles have been sent to the scene and area hospitals have been alerted.
So far, eleven people, including three minors, have been sent to nearby hospitals.
While the people on the lower floors have been evacuated, firefighters are still busy rescuing the people on the upper floors
The sixth and seventh floors of the building next to the country's Ministry of Labor at Avenida Alem 668, near the country's coast on the Argentine Sea, were engulfed by smoke and flames
Local media reported that at least 12 people were detained on the building's terrace and at the rear of the building
So far, eleven people, including three minors, have been sent to nearby hospitals
A woman and her son were reportedly taken to nearby Elizalde Hospital for smoke inhalation.
The remaining nine were taken to Argerich and Ramos Mejía hospitals, including two other minors, while five more people received oxygen at the scene of the fire.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. According to local media, residents heard an explosion shortly before the fire broke out.
It was reported that masonry across the street could be seen underneath the fire.
The building's manager told Argentina's Clarín newspaper that the “private” building has no gas, adding: “It's only electric.”
'I can't give you an explanation because the fire brigade wouldn't even let me look at the door.
“I wasn't in the building when the explosion happened, so I'm not sure what actually happened,” he said.