Dozens evacuated as fire breaks out in Buenos Aires skyscraper

More than 100 people were evacuated from a luxury residential tower in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, as a fire spread through several floors, emergency services said.

Forty people were treated for smoke inhalation and several others were admitted to hospital before the blaze was controlled.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

The 50-floor building is located in the exclusive neighbourhood of Puerto Madero.

Alberto Crescenti, head of Buenos Aires emergency services, told local media the fire had “extended all the way to the 15th floor”.

Broken glass fell from the windows, he said.

“Luckily, it was a very fast evacuation, meaning people are not at risk,” he added.

Firefighter Christian Benitez told AFP news agency all the residents were out of danger.

“I heard the fire alarm and came downstairs as quickly as I could,” Ornella Gril, 30, told AFP outside the building.

Mariano Pavone, an ex-footballer who played for Argentine giants River Plate and Spanish club Real Betis, who lives in the building, told Noticias Argentinas news agency: “I saw smoke and went down with my son and my dog.

“Luckily nothing happened to my flat. I’m anxious for my neighbours. Luckily it was just a scare.”