Building blaze in south China city: fire official

A fire in a high-rise building in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Friday sent thick plumes of black smoke over the city, but fire officials said they had no word of any casualties.

A fire in a high-rise building in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Friday sent thick plumes of black smoke over the city, but fire officials said they had no word of any casualties.

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The fire started about 10:20 am (0220 GMT) but was extinguished within 20 minutes, according to a report on the website of the Guangzhou Daily.

A fire department official in the city told AFP by phone that firefighters had been sent to the scene.

The official said no reports of casualties had been received.

A saleswoman at the 25-floor Fuli Yingtai office building, where the fire occurred, said it was quickly put out.

"The fire is out. There was only a lot of smoke," said the woman, who also declined to be named.