Video: burning tower block collapses in Brazil

At least one person has died and others are missing after a burning tower block in Brazil collapsed.

The inferno broke out at around 1.30am Tuesday morning in a building in Sao Paulo city centre and raged for several hours before dozens of fire engines carrying upwards of 150 firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control, Euronews reports.

Video footage captured by neighbours shows one side of the burning tower suddenly disintegrate, crashing to the ground.

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At least three other people are missing. Civil defence officials say they believe that up to 50 families were known to occupy the building.

On Twitter, Brazilians said that the tragedy drew attention to the issue of homelessness.

“Squatting is a social problem and needs to be solved at the root,” one wrote.