One Dead, 200 Homes Destroyed in Sao Paulo Favela Fire

A large fire that roared through part of a Sao Paulo favela at dawn Wednesday killed one person and destroyed around 200 homes before being brought under control, firefighters said.

Hundreds of residents of the Sapopemba slum on the city's east side were affected by the large flames that engulfed dozens of wooden shacks as residents tried to escape with their belongings, Globo News TV showed.

"One person died. The fire was brought under control but destroyed 200 homes whose families are now on the street," a fire department spokesperson told AFP.

A total of 25 firefighting teams battled the blaze, which is under investigation.