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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Ryan Fahey

Buenos Aires fire: Children trapped on balconies in huge tower block blaze

Children are among terrified residents trapped on balconies and inside their tower block after an infernal blaze ripped through the building.

Firefighters are working to tackle the fire after it broke out on the sixth floor of a 14-storey tower block in Recoleta in Buenos Aires, Argentina just before dawn local time today.

A spokesperson for the city's Emergency Medical Care System (SAME) Alberto Crescenti confirmed at least five people had died in the inferno, including three children and two adults.

Officials said two of the children were just three years old, while the other was eight. The two women were aged 19 and 49.

And a total of 35 people were transferred to Buenos Aires hospitals - some with serious injuries, according to La Nacion.

It's believed the fatal victims lived on the same floor the fire started.

Mr Crescenti told the local outlet: ""There are still neighbours trapped."

Firefighters stormed the building and managed to rescue several residents, including an elderly woman and children, reports say.

Three children and two adults reportedly died in the blaze and some residents are still trapped inside (jotaleonetti/Twitter)
The fire broke out on the sixth floor of the 14-storey tower (jotaleonetti/Twitter)

The fire crew treated one nine-year-old girl with oxygen at the scene and lowered an elderly woman down the stairs on a stretcher while supporting her neck with a brace.

In total, two adult women and two minors were rescued, La Nacion reports.

One resident told local media she heard an "explosion" just before dawn this morning.

Paramedics carry an injured person on a stretcher during a fire in an apartment building at Recoleta neighborhood in Buenos Aires (AFP via Getty Images)

She said: “Cries for help were heard, we saw children, there was a lot of smoke. I saw two children as if leaning out on the balcony."

Mr Crescenti said four or five of the injured kids were in "serious condition" at children's hospitals across the capital.

A pregnant woman - also in serious condition - was transferred to the Ramos Mejia Hospital.

A pregnant woman was caught in the fire and rushed to hospital (AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Crescenti said: "We are waiting for news in hospitals, they are resuscitating them, they are in cardiorespiratory arrest."

It's thought that 25 ambulances are still at the scene.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Earlier today, 10 fire engines and around 70 firefighters battled a massive house blaze in south London.

The cause of the fire is still to be determined (AFP via Getty Images)

Emergency services were called out shortly after 2am and were continuing to battle the fire at a residential home in Chelsfield Hill, Orpington well into the day.

The roof of the property was alight and 70 firefighters were using long hoses from ten fire engines to tackle it, reported MyLondon.

Local residents are being advised to keep windows and doors shut due to large amounts of smoke.

London Fire Brigade tweeted: "Crews are working hard to tackle a fire in the roof of a house in #Orpington. The fire is creating a lot of smoke and nearby residents are advised to keep windows and doors shut."

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