WARNING: Content may disturb. A residential tower block in Sao Paulo, Brazil, has crumbled in on itself in a ball of flames after a huge blaze ripped through the building.
This is the horrifying moment a residential tower block crumbles in on itself in a ball of flames after a huge blaze ripped through the building.
One person has been confirmed dead so far - with further fatalities expected to be announced over the coming hours.
The catastrophic collapse was caught on camera in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil as horrified onlookers filmed the unfolding carnage.
The burning building in downtown Sao Paulo has collapsed as firefighters worked on it. Photo / AP
In the clip, posted on Twitter, the 26-storey building can be seen smoldering from the blaze with flames licking up the side of the structure from several windows.
The block then suddenly bursts into a bright ball of fire - before a whole side of the building comes crashing down to earth.
A number of residents can be seen on the upper floors of the building screaming for help in the clip.
Authorities say they do not know if there have been any casualties during the collapse - but they warned that it is highly likely there are some fatalities.
Local news outlets reported that the building was occupied by homeless people from the local area.
Flabio Gabia, a receptionist who works in a nearby hotel, told Estadao: "When I went to see what it was, the streets, which were deserted, were filled with people desperately trying to get away."
"I was working at the time and I heard several people shouting.
"Several clients left the establishment when they saw the fire. A hotel next to the burning buildings was also emptied and cordoned off."
According to local media, the building was 26-floors tall and formerly served as the headquarters of the Sao Paulo district's federal police.
BREAKING: Many casualties feared after the Paisandu Plaza Towerblock in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil, collapses after a massive fire. pic.twitter.com/oVSAcD15r5
It is also claimed that the building's homeless occupants were living there illegally at the time of the fire.
Fire in São Paulo, Brazil. There are three victims and a very wounded firefighter, began the searches amid the rubble. Sadness for us Brazilians and paulistanos. #brazilpic.twitter.com/X2mKZUakyn
The fire was said to have begun on the fifth floor, before spreading rapidly to the upper levels.
Debris of a building which was engulfed by a fire and collapsed, in Sao Paulo. Photo / AP
Emergency services have cordoned off vast swathes of the city centre - with 160 firefighters and paramedics battling to free those trapped in the rubble.
Victor Hinckel, a resident in one of the buildings in the area, told Globo: "I had come home, I was getting ready to take a shower, and the neighbour came and told us to go downstairs.
"And when we got downstairs, half of my building was already on the street, people were jumping, very sad."
