A large fire has swept through the Polat Tower, a 42-storey building, in the centre of the Turkish city of Istanbul.

Television footage showed the Polat Tower building engulfed in thick black plumes of smoke, with pieces of debris falling to the ground.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties, however Turkey’s Anatolia news agency said many people had been stranded inside.

Television footage showed the Polat Tower building engulfed in thick black plumes of smoke, with pieces of debris falling to the ground

Firefighters – backed by helicopters – later managed to contain the blaze.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Turkish officials describe the Polat Tower as a mixed block of shops, apartments and offices.

Roads nearby remain closed for safety reasons.

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