SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Firefighters in South America's largest city have controlled a blaze that raged through shantytown shacks, an increasingly common occurrence as Sao Paulo faces a severe dry season.
The fire department said the fire that started Monday afternoon left four victims suffering burns and smoke inhalation but as yet no reported deaths.
Several blazes have hit Sao Paulo's shantytowns recently. Authorities said precarious electrical wiring in poor communities is most likely to blame for the fires.
Slum residents have blocked major roads in recent days to protest what they say is the government's lack of help following at least four fires in the past two weeks that left scores homeless.
A request for comment from the Sao Paulo mayor's office was not returned.
