Fire hits Rio de Janeiro's carnival district in Brazil
18:33, 7 February 2011
RIO DE JANEIRO. February 7. KAZINFORM A fire has broken out in the carnival district of the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, destroying warehouses where floats are made, reports say; Kazinform refers to BBC News.
At least four warehouses, a samba school and a carnival museum have been damaged in the blaze at Samba City.
It is unclear if anyone was injured in the fire, which spread quickly because of the quantity of flammable materials.
Rio's world-famous carnival, due to begin on 4 March, attracts thousands of tourists and people from across Brazil.
A large plume of black smoke can be seen above the purpose-built Sambadrome - where the parade takes place - located near the city's port; Kazinform cites BBC News.