Large fire breaks out in Istanbul's 42-storey building

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.

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.