Fire and suspected gas blast destroy houses in Sao Paulo neighbourhood

A suspected gas explosion followed by a large fire has killed one person and damaged multiple homes in Sao Paulo, according to local fire officials.

The incident happened on Monday in the Jaguare neighbourhood, around 16 kilometres from the city centre.

The Sao Paulo State Fire Department said a liquefied petroleum gas explosion likely caused the fire. Officials deployed 12 fire engines to battle the blaze.

Local media footage showed destroyed rooftops and thick smoke rising from the residential area.

A spokesperson for the fire department told local media that rescuers found the body of a man beneath the rubble.

Two men and a woman were also rescued with minor injuries.

“Several buildings were hit. We don't have ‌the exact number, but we believe that around 10 were directly hit,” the spokesperson said.

Firefighters continued searching the area for possible additional victims on Monday evening.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the blast, and investigations remain ongoing.