Dark clouds of smoke billowing over the Besiktas district of Istanbul, after a fire broke out at a 42-storey building.—AFP Photo
ISTANBUL: A fire broke out at a 42-storey building in the heart of Istanbul on Tuesday, engulfing its exterior facade, media reported.
There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries but the Anatolia news agency said many people were stranded inside the luxurious Polat Tower Residence — at a height of 152 metres and located in the Besiktas district of Istanbul.
Television footage showed people being taken out of the building's lower floors. Fire engines and emergency teams rushed to the scene.
Roads nearby were closed to traffic for safety reasons, the private NTV television reported.
It was not immediately known what started the fire.
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