27 feared dead in Osaka fire

Tokyo, Dec 17 (EFE).- Twenty-seven people are feared dead after a fire broke out in a downtown Osaka building on Friday.

Police consider the blaze suspicious, according to national broadcaster NHK.

The local fire department received a call at 10.20 am local time (01:20 GMT) reporting a fire on the fourth floor of the building, and flames were put out in about half an hour.

A total of 28 people were injured, 27 of whom showed no vital signs, NHK reported.

A medical clinic was reportedly located on the same floor as the blaze in the building near the JR Kitashinchi train station.

More than 30 fire trucks attended the scene, where search and rescue work continued in case more people are trapped inside.

“A woman was waving her hand from the window on the sixth floor and seeking help,” a witness said, according to Kyodo news. EFE

yk-mra/tw