At least 8 killed as fire engulfs 28-storey building in Shanghai

A fire engulfed a block of flats in China's business centre of Shanghai today, killing at least eight people and injuring more than 90.

The city government said in a statement that the 28-storey building was being renovated when it caught fire at about 2pm local time (0600 GMT). It did not give a cause for the fire. Footage on state television showed clouds of smoke billowing out of the building, with flames still visible several hours after the fire started, The Guardian reports.

Witnesses reported seeing people jumping from windows to escape the flames, while others could be seen clinging to the badly-burnt scaffolding.

Those hurt were taken to the Jingan district hospital for treatment. City officials said 100 people were rescued, but it was not clear if that included the 90 who were injured.

Images posted on the internet showed the entire building engulfed and smoke rising over the city skyline, Sky News says.